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

by with No Comment fashionget the looklook bookmommy diariesvideo

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!

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

by with No Comment bakingDIYholidayshostingparty ideasrecipesvideo

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

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

by with 2 Comments beautyget the looklifestylereviewsvideo

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!

BLEEDING HEART OREO BROWNIES – A VALENTINE’S BEST NIGHTMARE

by with No Comment bakingDIYfoodholidayshostinglifestyleparty ideasValentine's Dayvideo

Happy Valentine’s Day! I hope you’ve been enjoying all of the themed recipes and videos that I’ve been posting lately, all in the name of love! Well this is for anyone who thinks today’s celebration is more of a corporate holiday … anyone who thinks today can suck it … and anyone who loves oreos. And brownies!!! We’re making “Bleeding Oreo Brownie Hearts” because everyone deserves a reason to love Valentine’s Day. Even if it’s for desserts and ‘the day after’ chocolate sales!


Imagine a brownie filled with oreo cream filling … yes it is just as mouth watering as it sounds! We ate 6 of them! SIX and zero regrets were had. Your mission should you choose to accept: make these, eat these, thank me later!

For the brownie part I just got a box of brownie mix (family sized) and made it according to the directions. I sprayed a 10×16 brownie pan with oil, lined it with parchment paper, and then sprayed it again just to make sure the hearts didn’t stick once I removed them. No one wants a crumbly broken heart, in life nor in theory.


Let the brownies cool before taking a heart shaped cookie cutter to it, and in the meantime make your oreo filling, the ‘bleeding’ part of it. You’ll need:

3 cups powdered sugar
ABOUT 1/2 vegetable shortening
5 tablespoons hot water (you will eye ball this when you make it)
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Red food coloring
1 teaspoon sugar


♥ Combine all of the ingredients in a bowl and save adding in the water for last. Start with 4 tablespoons of hot water and if your mixture is too thick then add in 1 tablespoon at a time until you get the desired consistency. Which is pretty thick yet smooth, like an oreo filling would be.

Once you’ve added the red food coloring (I used about 7 drops) you get this really pretty pile of sweetness! I had about half a cup of this just from taste testing! Note: This makes a lot of filling, enough for 2 batches of brownies if you’re using it in this ‘sandwich’ style.


Once your brownies have cooled, take your cookie cutter and remove the shapes until all of your brownie pan has been used up. The brownies will be fairly thin, this is a good thing though because you’ll be stacking them once they’re filled.


Spread a dollop of the filling between two hearts and then close the heart sandwich by placing the other half on top (smooth side down). Continue with this until you’ve used up all of your heart brownies. You can make the filling part as thick or as thin as you’d like depending on your sweet tooth preference.



The combination of these two flavors is indescribable, you have to make them for yourself and indulge in order to believe me. It’s a cream filled brownie and the cream is OREO FILLING! Did I say that part enough? Ha! Try it, so so so good!

I paired this deliciousness with a “Sour Kiss” cocktail, keeping with the whole ‘Valentine’s Day Shmalentine’s Day’ theme here. It tastes like sour patch candies in a glass! Mix together an ounce of each of these ingredients and enjoy!

Sour Kiss Cocktail:
Vodka
Grenadine syrup
Blue curacao liqueur
Sweet and Sour Mix
Limes

Here is my Pinterest DIY-not Valentine’s Day episode, and if you missed my Galentine’s Day post you can read it here!

What are your plans for this weekend ?!

Go enjoy these recipes and Happy Valentine’s Day from stupid cupid <333

 

THE BEST AND FASTEST FOUNDATION ROUTINE!

by with One Comment beautyget the lookskin carevideo

For those times that we’re in a rush to get out the door, or when we’re forced to be in a mega-rush *ahem, shout out to my fiancé*, this foundation routine will meet those deadlines! Do you like how I’m referring to one of our morning rituals like it’s an employee of ours? Ha, well it is because it’s work!

Every few weeks I switch up my foundation routine, varying slightly depending on the weather, my mood, and how much time I’m given! Today’s post is all about my most recent “stay all day, look fab all night” routine. It’s quick, it’s simple, and it requires just a few minutes in the morning – but those few minutes will have you feeling and looking like a goddess! Pssst, no one will ever know that you didn’t spend forever getting ready <3 This is our super power.

1. Prime and prep– you need a good base for your foundation so that it glides on smoothly and evenly. This primer is one of my favorites, it’s hyaluronic acid based, illuminating, and light as a feather!
2. Foundation is the foundation– I’m funny I know. So everyone has their favorite whether it’s a cream, powder, or liquid. This happens to be in my top 3. It’s buildable, offers up great coverage, and still manages to look ultra natural
3. Brush it or leave it – the most convenient way for me to apply foundation to my skin is with my fingertips, but I’ve read so many reviews on this brush that I decided to give it try! I have to say, it’s hands down one of the best brushes ever; it has dense bristles, feels like cashmere against your skin, and gives you an airbrushed finished look
4. Conceal how much sleep we don’t get– my friend Ashlee introduced me to this little gem; it glides on smoothly, I love the precision of the pen, and it doesn’t crease hallelu
5. Powder up– I have dry skin so I don’t usually powder my entire face. So to make sure the concealer under my eyes doesn’t slide around, I use a fluffy brush to swipe on a setting powder and this one is finely milled enough that it’s not cakey at all
6. Contour– I’ve seen some people really go to town with contour and I’m not a huge fan of it, I think it alters the face a bit too much than what I’m comfortable with. Subtly contouring your face is flattering however, I usually do the hollows of cheeks and my nose. Subtle is sexy in my opinion but hey, opinions are like armpits
7. Set it and forget it– once all of your makeup is on, spray it, set it, and then you’re good for the entire day on through the night! This one is awesome and adjusts to the temperature of you skin. Don’t ask me how, I think it’s Science or something
8. Make ’em think you’ve just ran up a flight of stairs– oh that naturally flushed look. Well I’m not trying to run up any flights of stairs any time soon so I’ll stick to my rouge. This one is light enough as to not make you feel like Raggedy Ann, but bright enough to give you that healthy glow
9. Shine bright like a diamond– illuminators have been all the rage lately and I’m all in! I love how natural this cream is; you shine, but not like a fairy dumped her bag of sparkles onto your face, more like you’re an angel who’s descended just to run errands and make it to Trader Joe’s before the rest of the world

See! You can do all of that in just FIVE minutes! Maybe even less if you move fast! I mean, we’re magical, I believe in you!

I’ll link you here so you can see all of these steps in action over on my YouTube channel, subscribe to me if you haven’t already so that I’m not just making videos for my mom please and thank you. I love you mom.

What’s your go-to foundation routine? Is it a mineral powder, liquid, or a cream kind of regimen? 

See you soon for some Pinterest DIY happenings … or mishaps if you know me <3

 

MY UPDATED NIGHT TIME SKINCARE ROUTINE!

by with No Comment beautyget the lookskin carevideowellness

My skin care routine changes depending on the time of year and the time of day, are you this particular about skincare too? So today I wanted to share with you my current night time skincare regimen and just how I keep this 30-something skin of mine as youthful as I can!

First step is cleansing. I cleanse in the shower usually since I’m one of those ‘night time shower before bed’ kinda people. Takes me all of one minute, thank you handy dandy Clarasonic timer, and I alternate between a few different products depending on what day of the week it is, errr and what time of the month it is.

Clarasonics and cleansing systems of the like, are more effective at removing impurities and giving your skin a deeper cleanse than your finger tips would, so I highly recommend them. Start slowly with exfoliation so that you don’t irritate your skin, especially if you’re not used to exfoliating weekly.

1. Exfoliate: Even if you have another skin type than my own (I have very dry skin), it’s still important to exfoliate so that your skin is prompted to create more collagen and it provides a deeper cleanse than the every day cleanser gives you. I alternate between the Clinique 7 day scrub– I love this because it’s gentle enough to use daily though that’s not how I use it, and it doesn’t make my skin feel overly exfoliated. That’s a Monday, Friday routine and on Tuesdays and Thursdays I will use the Kate Somerville ExfoliKate because there’s something about it that is different than any other exfoliant I’ve used. Leaves your skin squeaky clean without over drying and it smells like the spa! I swear by these two. The Tatcha rice powder is wonderful for a quick deep cleanse that brightens up your face instantly! I use this on the weekends after a week full of makeup and movin’ n groovin’!


2. Cleanse and eye makeup removal: I love the Tula cleanser for these purposes because it’s gentle and foams up nicely. It also doesn’t irritate the sensitive skin around my eyes, and it’s light enough to use twice a day if I needed to. The Lush lip scrub I find quick and easy and takes only a few seconds to do the job- just scrub, rub, and rinse!
3. Tone: Right after the shower I will spray a few pumps of the Honest hydrating mist onto my face and while that is still drying I will go in with my serums.
4. Hydrate: Serums are the gate keepers between your skincare products and the layers deep within your face. Hyaluronic acid serum has got to be my number one go-to product for deep hydration and quick absorption. It’s something our skin already produces except in very low amounts and as we age, of COURSE we produce less of it. Oh joy. A few drops of this and then a few drops of Vitamin C will leave your skin soft and supple!
5. Seal and treat: Now that you have your serum on, you can hydrate with a moisturizer here or you can do what I do and seal all of those products in with a nice treatment! I’m in my 30’s so one of my ‘never-ever-forget-to-do’s’ is to use a treatment on my skin, something that will really plump up my skin like the PTR glycolic hydrating serum or the Ole Henriksen night treatment. Both of these are great for fine lines, acne scarring, and overall problematic skin.
6. All about the eyes: Since the skin around our eyes is the thinnest of all of our face, we age there the quickest. Oh joy! So use your ring finger and gentle pat and roll your eye cream from the outer corner of your eye, in towards your nose. Remember pat and roll and press and hold! That’s the secret! This eye serum is inexpensive and one of the best I’ve tried! My advice, start using an eye cream fresh out of the womb! And of course I drench my lashes in castor oil because it moisturizes and protects them, and keeps them healthy through all of the mascara and eye liner layers. It’s been a beauty secret for year past so lets keep it going for years to come!
7. Don’t forget your pout: Since you’ve scrubbed your lips and got them bright and smooth again, it’s time to moisturize them. For years I’ve been using this rose salve because it’s thick, smooth, and ultra hydrating.
8. Prevent turkey neck! Yup I said it, turkey neck y’all! If you’re under the age of 25 I’d say a neck treatment isn’t necessary, but for us babes who are 25+, a neck cream is a MUST! From your cleavage up (pecks up for you men out there) you should be cleansing, hydrating, and treating. You don’t want to have the face of a 19 year old and the neck of a 109 year old. I looove this Tula advanced neck cream because it’s thick like a balm but goes on smooth and doesn’t feel sticky at all. It’s extremely moisturizing and it’s packed full of probiotics and vitamins to replenish your skin and keep it young!

So there you have it! Eight steps to great skin, skin that is hydrated and healthy! This doesn’t take long at all by the way, 3-5 minutes tops is all it takes to end your day with some pampering and to start your night with some regenerating power! Go baby cells goooo!

On days I don’t wash my hair, more joys of color treated locks, I like to run a bit of oil into the ends to prevent drying and splitting. This argan oil is light enough to use daily and smells divine!

If you’d like to see these steps in action, head on over to my YouTube channel where I did a tutorial of this exact routine for you! And Subscribe if you haven’t already, fun and exciting things coming this year <3

Let me know what your number one beauty secret is! Is it a special cleanser, a mud from the Alps?! 

Tell me so we can all obsess over these things together because, sharing! See you next week with some tips on how to survive the winter! *yes, this coming from a gal in LA, though this weekend we’ll be in Yosemite so I’ll be “experienced”!*

EASY CHRISTMAS DIY – CENTERPIECE AND COCKTAILS!!!

by with One Comment DIYholidayshome decorparty ideasparty planningtutorialvideo

Twenty-one more sleeps until Christmas morning!!! So with that, I am feeling festive and this year I didn’t let ‘do it yourself’ projects intimidate me. I usually talk myself out of doing these kinds of things, but today I’m sharing with you my easy, festive, and QUICK do-it-yourself creations and cocktails. First up, this snow covered pillar holder!

What you’ll need:

  • tall glass pillar holder or sconce
  • pillar candle of your choice
  • epsom salt
  • mod podge
  • sponge or brush for mod podge application
  • faux pine branch with berries and pine cones
  • string of mini lights (optional)

Method:

Take your sponge or brush and coat the outside of the pillar holder with a thick layer of mod podge, going up with the mod podge as high as you’d like the ‘snow’ to go. Take a bowl full of epsom salt and dip the holder into the bowl using your hands to coat the mod podge with the salt. Set aside and let dry 20-30 minutes.

Fill the pillar holder with epsom salt up to just below the ‘snow’ line. Take your pillar candle and set it inside of the glass holder on top of the salt. Give it a nice little push to center it and secure it. Then take your pine branch and pluck off the bits you like- the berries, the cones- and simply stick them into the salt surrounding the candle. For some extra flare, take miniature lights and layer them up and around the candle. Now your festive snow-filled candle holder is complete!

Now for this DIY gift! A merry-lil-mason-jar, filled with candy OR your favorite hot cocoa recipe mix!


What you’ll need:

  • mason jar with a lid
  • candy of your choice (or your favorite hot cocoa mix)
  • epsom salt
  • mod podge
  • brush or sponge for application
  • scissors
  • hot glue gun
  • festive string or burlap

Method:

Paint the mod podge three quarters of the way up the mason jar so that some of the candy shows through the glass once you’ve completed this project. Place the jar into the bowl of salt and begin applying a thick layer of salt around the jar, on top of the mod podge, using your hands. Set aside and let that sit 20-30 minutes.

Now we’re ready to decorate! Fill your mason jar with your favorite holiday candy or layer it up with your favorite hot cocoa mix. Pluck off some berries and pine stems and hot glue them into a bundle with a dollop of hot glue so that the bundle stays in place. Then wrap your string around the bundle so that it stays in place while hanging from the lid, and tie the string it all the way around the jar. Secure the knot with a pretty  bow just under the lip where the lid goes and tadaaaa!

Holiday cocktail time!!! Today we’re making three holiday inspired cocktails, a peppermint kiss, a GRAND spiked eggnog, and a Ferrero Rocher chocolate bliss cocktail!!!


For the Peppermint Kiss Cocktail you’ll need:

  • martini glass
  • shaker
  • ice
  • white chocolate liqueur
  • peppermint schnapps
  • vanilla flavored vodka
  • peppermint candies

Method:

Take the peppermint candies, place them into in a plastic bag and crush them into tiny bits for the rim of your martini glass. Dip the rim of your glass into a liqueur and dip the glass into the crushed bits of peppermint, set it aside.

In the shaker add your ice, equal parts of the vanilla vodka and white chocolate liqueur- which is about 1/4 cup each. Add in 1 table spoon peppermint schnapps, and shake it all up! Pour the drink into your fancy cup, sprinkle in some more peppermint chips, and you’re done!

The GRAND Spiked Egg Nog!


What you’ll need:

  • fancy wine glass
  • egg nog
  • Grand Marnier

Method:

This one’s an easy one so don’t blink! Simply fill the glass half way with your favorite egg nog, and spike it up with 1/4 cup of your favorite cognac,  I’m using grand mariner. Give the mixture a soft stir with a spoon or straw. Since both liquids are pretty thick I didn’t want to shake this in a shaker, so a little swirl with a spoon or straw and you’re set! Enjoy!

And the very BEST for last, the Ferrero Rocher Chocolate Bliss Cocktail!


What you’ll need:

  • low ball glass
  • a hazelnut liqueur (I’m using Frangelico)
  • cookie butter ice cream (or chocolate)
  • Ferrero Rocher chocolate candies

Method:

This cocktail is also super simple and it’s SUPER decadent! totally worth the five seconds it takes to make! Simply fill half of the glass up with the Frangelico then drop in a generous spoonful of ice cream! Top that baby off with some Ferrero Rocher candies and then ENJOY because this drink is worth every single guilty sip!!!


I hope you try making these drinks yourself and please TAG me on Instagram and Twitter when you do! Don’t be afraid of these DIY projects either, give them a go and let me know how it goes!!! The tutorial of each of these is up on my channel now so go show it some love!

Let me know what your holiday plans are and if you’re going to get adventurous in DIY this season!!!

 

CourtyardYums

HOW TO SURVIVE FESTIVAL SEASON!

by with No Comment adventurereviewstravelvideo

We’re experiencing some kind of heat wave out here in Los Angeles with our 90 degree plus weather. I can say with much excitement that the only nice thing that comes with warmer temperatures is the desire to be outside more. I’m a total Island Girl. . . ocean, beach, sun, hiking, all of the outside activities that we’re able to enjoy in the summer months, I’m ALL about it!

I’ve grown so fond of the events that L.A. offers to it’s Angelenos like art walks, open parks, and festivals! Corrine and I are still recovering from post Coachella blues, missing the music filled days and dance filled nights, and I’m so happy to have shared a first Coachella experience with my most favorite person. Today I’m going to tell you the top 5 things you’ll need to survive Coachella…. and any other festival you’ll attend this year.

Corrine Coachillin

1) Sunscreen: most festivals and art walks happen outdoors, where it’s warm and encourages people to walk around….and where the sun beats down on you. Even if you hate putting creams on your skin, opt for some fast aborbing sunscreen like THIS so that you’re not a glowing lobster tomorrow.

2) Ear plugs: they never tell you in pre-festival prep that earplugs are a necessity but they are. Unless you’re stading far from the speakers (where’s the fun in that?!) than your ears will be ringing for days, and they say every time your ears ring… an angel gets it’s wing….errrr that your cochlea hairs are dying. Sounds awful right? No pun intended. So with loud noise happening around you for an extended period of time, you’ll want to protect your ears, you can get them at your local drug store or click HERE .

Courtyard yumminess
3) A relaxing getaway: with loud noise happening around you all day and night, massive crowds, and sticky climates, you’ll want to be able to get away from all of the chaos so that you’re recharged to take on another day of the festivities. If you live close enough to the venue than you can drive or cab it up to and from home each day, lucky you!!! If you’re not, than I don’t suggest camping out (unless you’ve never done it, in which case you have to do it atleast once in your festival life), instead get a hotel room! You’ll be so happy to enjoy a cold shower after the day’s events, a cozy bed to recharge your tired feet, and a quiet place away from all of the noise and crowds. Corrine and I stayed at the Courtyard Marriott in Palm Springs during weekend 2 of Coachella, and we could not have been more grateful to have a quiet and cool place to unwind after the day. We all know that festival food is always so heavy and greasy, it was nice to have the option of ordering real food from a full kitchen. We enjoyed both breakfast and dinner at the Bistro at Courtyard and it was SO good! They have hearty breakfast options (pictured above featuring my “if Mondays had a face” face) for morning refueling, and pizza options for night time cravings. To see our full room tour and Coachella experience click HERE for the video! Huge thank you to Courtyard for it’s hospitality and most amazing coffee breaks! You can click here to see what locations they have near you to book a stay during your next festival outing!

4) Water: water water water! Staying hydrated is key to having an enjoyable experience but it’s the hardest thing to do in a festival atmosphere. There were 90,000+ people at Coachella this year and everyone was either in line at the water stations, or crowding around the food court to purchase water. The best thing to do is tote around at least 2 watter bottles per person and when one is empty, fill it up at a water station or fountain. The worst thing to do is to wait until you’re so parched that you feel like you’re going to pass out….and then you do and that’s definitely not an enjoyable experience. So pack that H2O!

5) Backpack or fanny pack: yes I really did just tell you to carry along a fanny pack. What can I say, I love those things! They keep your personal items close and aren’t bulky enough to get it the way of all of your groovy dance moves! If you’re totally against 80’s fashion than go with whatever backpack or bag you choose, but have a bag of some sort on hand – you’ll want a place to stick your water, sunscreen, ear plugs, room keys, and id, without over stuffing your pockets! Again, more room for your groovy dance skills!  You can get a backpack like the one in our DSW posts HERE, but I think you should sport the fanny pack so everyone knows just how fun you are.

we were sad to leave our oasis at Courtyard but ready for the final day of Coachella
we were sad to leave our oasis at Courtyard but ready for the final day of Coachella

So those are our 5 top things you’ll need to survive any festival, and let me know what your go to items are and if you’re attending any festivals this summer! Corrine and I love checking out new venues so share with us!

Hope your weekend is wonderful!

xoxo- Jess

lighting set up

TECH: LIGHTING AND VIDEO

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As a video creator, a lot of my videos are done with me sitting in front of my window in my bedroom while I talk to my camera….by myself ha! And on typical merry-weather LA days, no additional lighting is required since my camera picks up a ton of light, and natural lighting is awesome! But for days when it’s gloomy out, the light changes, or a bird flies by, I have to bring in the big guns so today I wanted to share with you my go-to lighting set up!

Below are two photos taken (untouched), one with no fill light, using only my Ring Light. The second photo features the ring light that I use in front (as in photo 1), but also features the additional fill light you see behind me.

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No fill light used above, just my circle light was used. If you’re happy with this kind of look than you’ll be fine just using the circle light.

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Here in this second photo, you can see the fill light behind me, from my Flo Light and what a difference it makes. The ‘fill’ light brightens up the space behind me, gives me a nice shoulder glow from the additional light, brightens up my hair, and evens out the light overall on my face. It even appears that it’s made my face look slimmer with the even lighting all around me.

Below are the lights and the placement of them to achieve this kind of look:

My circle light is placed pretty close to my face while I film, I can reach out and adjust the brightness it’s that close. I love that it has an adjustment dial so that you can control how much light you want. It also has a place to attach your camera directly to the body of the circle light for the convenience of sticking to one rig.

The light that you see on the left side of the photo is my flo light. It is placed behind me, and just off to the side so that it spills light into the room and covers the space behind me. This light allows not only the space behind me to be brightened up, but again – gives me that hair light and shoulder pop, and really does add to the even tone of the overall lighting set up. I love that you can adjust the height with this light, and how much light you want with the flaps on the flo light. From a dim look to a bright look, this light has you covered.

light setup
I’ve linked you to the set up that I have, I use a tripod instead of the attachment that the circle light comes with just because I love having stability beneath my rig. And below is just me being silly with the lighting, right before I started filming…beacause you can’t take selfies too seriously!

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I hope this post was helpful for those of you asking about my lighting equipment and what kind of set up I have. For an even easier set up, if you’re looking for something more user-friendly when it comes to working with lighting systems and being new to it all, here is the first Soft Box Lighting Kit system that I used when I started doing video for YouTube. It’s super easy to set up and figure out!

Let me know in the comments what lighting set up you have, or if you have nay other questions, or if you use something different – I love trying out new set ups, playing with techy things, and giving my reviews of them, so share away!

 

Hugs,

 

Jess xoxo