Vaping With Friends – What We Thought We Knew!

If you would have told me that today I’d have my friends over to try vape mods and e-juices I would’ve given you an eye roll because, moms who vape?! Seriously though we had the BEST time laughing over what we thought we knew about vaping and trying the different flavors!

I’ve vaped essential oils before but never an e-juice and I found the same went for a lot of my friends. So when I got the opportunity to try out different mods from Mt Baker Vapor and the e-juices they offer, I called my friends over and here we are!

It’s incredible the amount of negativity that surrounds vaping and I believe it’s largely due to misinformation and lack of individual education. I’m not a nicotine smoker and as a mother I’d never promote something that I believed was a ‘gate way’ to anything- this was something that also came up as a hot topic. However, I will promote something that I myself have tried and tested and I will absolutely promote something that I think can help people when used with proper intention.

My mom has been a cigarette smoker since she was a teenager, I grew up with it my whole life. So I know 1) the effects of smoking  2) the effects of peer pressure and 3) the effects vaping can have on someone transitioning away from smoking cigarettes and finally weening off of nicotine all together with the help of vaping. So it really bothered me that I got flack for wanting to try vaping and be more educated about it and less curious about all the hype.

I understand the concern but again, you have to inform yourself on the issues that concern you. I was hugely concerned about this “popcorn lung” that kept coming up any time I talked about or searched vaping. It was a lung disease in the 90’s that became headline news because of a chemical used in artificial butter popcorn factories. Lung disease … now that scared me. But I did my research and Mt Baker Vapor DOES NOT use that chemical in any of their products! Relief!

I’ve never vaped with my friends before, so Mt Baker Vapor to sent us different mods to try and a selection of e-juices. They were even so kind to send me more of their 0-Nic juices to try knowing that I’m not a nicotine smoker. We got to try the Joyetech All In One, Vaporesso Swag Kit, and Smoant Charon TS 218. Buzz words haha! I had no idea what we were looking at or that they’re called mods! Luckily though they’re much easier to figure out and operate than they look.

Essentially, we received the beginner, intermediate, and advanced mods and we tried them all! We went through the different flavors and some of our favorites were Hawk Sauce (berry fruitiness), Green Apple (sweet and sour yumminess), and Cinnatoast Munch (I mean! It tastes like your favorite cereal)! Fan favorite of the mods was the Joyetech AIO vape pen because the ladies thought it was dainty enough to toss into your handbag and they loved the design! Joe really loved the Smoant Charon with the sapphire blue Uwell Valyrian sub ohm tank <— more buzz words, sub ohm tank! He loved how sturdy it felt and that it was a glossy glass mod with a rad touch screen. I loved the Vaporesso Swag Kit box mod! I liked that it’s palm sized, so medium in comparison to the vape pen and bigger box mod. It has a spin push top (twist open) design which if you’re tactile like me you’ll find that fun too, and an OLED screen on the side.

I really enjoyed trying out vaping with my friends, debunking some rumors, and having a genuinely good time with my people who are like-minded. I hope you enjoyed the video and please enter my giveaway! Mt Baker Vapor was so generous to gift 3 of you with one of these: Joyetech AIO, Vaporesso Swag Kit, and an Innokin MVP4 vaporizer. All you have to do to enter is go to my YouTube video, LIKE the video, and leave me a comment! I’ll choose 3 of you next week and Mt Baker Vapor will send you the e-juice of your choice.

Even if you don’t win the giveaway, tis the season and I have a treat for you! Head over to Mt Baker Vapor and enter the code ICHOOSEFLAVOR for 50% off your first purchase of Mt Baker Vapor juice! Check them out they have other really awesome products on their site, be sure to enter the giveaway, and have a wonderful holiday season! Vlogmas, it’s a thing and I’m doing it!

Have you tried vaping before? Do you know someone that used vaping to stop smoking cigarettes? Which mod would you like to try? 

 

 

 

Vacation body care and hair care product hacks!

I say hacks because with these products you won’t have to do much to look done up. So here we are, midway through our nearly 24 hour travel day to get to Bali and I’m happy to report that all things considered, my skin is looking refreshed and pretty normal … can’t say the same for my sleep schedule though! Here’s to hoping jet lag doesn’t kick my butt when we settle in. I had all the time in the world to draft this post for you where I share my top body care and hair care products for your next vacation! I’m all about convenience and versatility, the less I have to do with my appearance, the better. Oh and the smell, you know I’m all about how products smell 😉

  • Nelson’s Beverly Hills surf spray– free of parabens and alcohol, this beach spray smells fresh and gives your locks some body and texture. The less I have to do with my hair on vacation the better, and this spray gives you that undone tousled beachy look without having to curl, set, toss, spray.
  • Oribe dry texturing spray– for those days that I don’t feel like washing my hair (most days) but want it to feel and smell clean I use this spray. The surf spray I use as almost a spray on mousse after I’ve washed my hair, replacing styling. This Oribe is more for in between washes to refresh and give your hair tons of volume and tons of vavavoom smell goodness!
  • Coola SPF 50 sport– light and silky smooth, this spf is my go-to! It’s absorbed quickly but still gives you that dewy youthful glow. And like everything else I listed here, smells so good! I don’t like fragrant skincare and this Coola is light and clean smelling like fresh cucumber water.
  • Brazillian Crush body mist– I 100% care about how I smell 100% of the time and this body mist is so sultry and sexy- it’s vanilla but not too vanilla-y if you know what I’m saying. It smells like hot Havana nights I swear! I love this scent so much and it’s light enough to wear daily. And how do I pack it you may ask? In this awesome and super cute Scentbird atomizer! It’s sleek and just the right size to slip into your clutch and in this case, your carry on.
  • Coola Body SPF 50– it’s all about the mango guava baby! My all time favorite scent, this spf is light and never gives your skin that heavy, greasy feeling a lot of SPFs do. Trust me, you’ll love this!
  • Native all natural deodorant–  my favorite scents are coconut vanilla and lavender rose! I never thought I’d be the person to say that going all natural with a deodorant was the way to go, but it is and here I am telling you to switch! It’s free of all the icky things you don’t want going into your body and won’t stop your body from doing the natural thing- which is to sweat and rid your body of toxins. You’ll sweat with this deodorant but you won’t smell. If you perspire heavily, you may want to apply a few times throughout the day but I stand behind this product and all it’s naturalness.
  • Proplenish collagen powder– call me crazy but if I’m gonna age I’m gonna age at the slowest rate possibly and graceful as hell haha. So this is me ingesting collagen, straight up putting collagen powder in my tea every morning. I’ve been doing this on and off for the past few years- when I remember to purchase the to go sachets (I like the lemon flavored ones and I mix it into an early grey and chai tea) and I they make my skin look all plump and rejuvenated!
  • Bliss hand cream: for all the times you’ll wash your hands at the airport and during flight (because germy) your hands will be thank you for the quench of hydration. It also smells citrusy which is refreshing for any long haul and isn’t thick and greasy. Do you see the trend here? lol

I love all things that smell like an island vacation, that’s hydrating without the heaviness, and all mostly natural.

I hope this list helps you pack for your next vacation or trip and up next I’ll be sharing how I packed 2 weeks into a carry-on and backpack, AND how you can travel comfortably and still be cute!

What are your go-to body care/ hair styling tricks for travel? 

 

 

 

 

 

Travel Skincare Routine – For The Long Haul

Bali bound baby!!! In just a few hours we’ll be boarding a two part, nearly 24 hour long flight to Bali in celebration of our honeymoon! Two weeks of blissfulness and my face may just fall off from all the excessive smiling, also my hair may just fall out from all the stress. You know the drill, with packing and preparing to leave your home for a few weeks- the laundry, the cleaning, and did I mention the packing?

As you know, the air on an airplane is not the best for your skin and as you also know I really really care about skin care lol So I’ve packed some of my all time favorite skin soothing, healing, and hydrating products so that when we land, I may be tired but my skin will look rested, refreshed, and ready to party! I wanted to share with you here my travel skin care routine – for the long haul. It’s a long one so jot these down and lets do this!


Body care: first, I showered like it would be my last shower for a few days because it would be, and I splurged on the Laura Mercier Almond Coconut Milk Scrub. It’s super luxurious and will make your skin feel like silk. Just put it on your Christmas wish list 😀  Then I moisturized by mixing a bit of Shea Moisture Argan Oil with shea butter body lotion and guys my skin was pure satin I tell you.

Skincare: I can’t express enough how important clean, hydrated skin is for your every day routine yet alone your travel routine. The air at 30K+ feet is cold and doesn’t hold moisture so here’s to making sure that your skin does <3

  • Ocean Cleansing Milk-Travel Size + Ocean Cleanser-Travel Size: one of my all time favorite brands, OSEA Malibu was the only skin care I packed because it’s organic, pure, and hydrating at its ultimate. They both cleanse your skin and leave it feeling hydrated without leaving behind any kind of residue. I couldn’t choose between the two so I packed them both! Pro-tip: you don’t need water with these, I simply rub a few pumps in between my fingertips and onto my face and then remove with a cotton round- super helpful when you don’t want to wash your face in the lavatory.
  • Sea Vitamin Boost-Travel Size: the perfect toner after cleansing it’s full of antioxidants, refreshing and hydrating. I just spritz my face 3-5 times in a clockwise kind of motion and boom you’re misty.
  • Hyaluronic Sea Serum: remember how I said you should move through your products from thinnest to thickest in formula … here we are 😀 This serum is everything, it protects and strengthens your skin’s moisture barrier for that dewy youthful glow! I pat a few pumps around my face and move on to my moisturizer.
  • Atmosphere Protection Cream + Undaria Argan Oil: a staple in my skin care routine, I roll the argan oil around my palm and then mix in a few pumps of the cream for legit deep moisture. The upside to mixing these two products (and using any product from this line for that matter) is that your skin won’t feel greasy or heavy afterwards. They absorb into your skin quickly leaving only behind that velvety feeling.
  • Undaria Algae Oil: I love to use this oil as an eye cream, lip moisturizer, and overall hydrating oil for any dryness I have i.e. cuticles and elbows! It’s smooth and full of antioxidants- also in my makeup bag at all times.
  • Red Algae Mask: I packed this baby right here because my skin is prone to breakouts during travel and also gets finicky, so this mask is perfect. It’s purifying and non-drying yet perfect for blemishes and the tea tree oil smells refreshing and kicks up the cleansing properties.
  • Lumion oxygen mist + Nano atomization facial mister: game changer! I’m such drama and if I can kick hydration up from a 10 to a 12 – you know I will! I fill the facial mister with the Lumion oxygen mist and use it throughout the day. The BEST for travel because it’s super refreshing and cooling. Also a must have for post workouts as it kills bacteria, hydrates, and illuminates! You’ll thank me for this one.
  • Oil free protein remover and primer: for all my eyelash extension babes this one’s for you, with lash extensions you have to avoid oil based products. The way you care for them and also environmental elements (aka Bali humidity) have an effect on the lifetime of our expensive habit. This primer is awesome to remove oil throughout the day and cleanse your lashes of any makeup residue. I just dip a qtip into the primer and allow the opening to remove excess product and then swipe it along my lash line. I got my lashes done for the wedding … on through the honeymoon … and honestly I don’t know that I can live without them now!

I think it goes without saying that I will be packing snacks, lots and lots of snacks! For me, raw almonds, toasted coconut chips, chocolate, and oats-to- go are my favorites! They’re protein packed (chocolate is like a veggie in my book) and satiating enough to tie you over until the food cart comes around haha.

Ok babes, now that your skin is all silky, smooth, clean, and most importantly- hydrated, you’re ready for the long haul! Oh yes and drink water, lots and lots of water <333

What’s your go-to for travel skin care routine? Do you up the hydration? The exfoliation? 

Coming up- packing body care products,  my honeymoon hair care routine, and how to travel comfortably and cute-ly! 😀

 

 

 

Wine Not Wednesday – Dairy Free White Russian!

It’s #WineNotWednesday babes and today we’re making a dairy-free White Russian cocktail with a twist! A lil zing of coffee cold brew baby!

I particularly like this recipe because I’m dairy free now, it tends to upset my stomach and this version still has the richness of the original minus the kick, literally. I replaced the dark liqueur with cold brew and this Stumptown is one of my favorites! ps chocolate liqueur everything please and thank you!

For today’s shake-up you’ll need:

For this deliciousness you’ll just need to pour 1/4 cup cold brew, a few shots of vodka, some ice, and a shot of liqueur into your shaker and shake it up!

Pour that into your glass and stir in gently 1/4 cup almond milk and garnish with nutmeg! Enjoy babe!

Does this recipe sound just like an espresso martini? LOL it just may be! I didn’t google it before making, I just threw it together for you so try it out and let me know what you think! 

 

 

 

The best skin of your life in 5 minutes!

I have to pinch myself every time I tell someone that my baby girl Corrine is going to be 20 next month! Like what?! I get asked all the time how I take care of my skin having a full grown adult over here and so I thought today I’d share! This is my every day 5 minute skin care routine and I promise that if you adopt some sort of regimen like this, you will see and feel a difference and soon everyone will be asking you what YOUR secret is!

Also I hope you enjoy this stop motion Mary Poppins skin care bag I created for you haha legit this is how I fit snacks into my purse too! pro tip: go through your skin care bag from thinnest to thickest formula- so cleanser, toner, serums, and moisturizers <3

Five Minutes To The Best Skin Of Your Life

  • OSEA Malibu Ocean Cleanser – this cleanser is my favorite! It’s creamy, hydrating, and doesn’t leave behind any residue. I use it both in the morning and at night to cleanse my skin and then twice a week I use it with  my Clarasonic, so so good!
  • Mario Badescu cucumber cleansing lotion – time to tone! I saturate a cotton round with this toner and use it after cleansing. Now your skin is ready for some skincare products!
  • OSEA Malibu Brightening Serum– s e r u m s! I live for serums. They are the gate keepers for your skin to receive the benefits of your other skincare products and they’re a staple in my routine. This brightening serum has helped with the discoloration I’ve experienced due to sun damage. It absorbs quickly and never leaves you feeling greasy or oily.
  • Circ-Cell rejuvenation eye gel: eye cream eye cream eye cream! It’s all about the eyes! Did you know the skin around your eyes is the thinnest of all your face so we age there the quickest! So start that eye cream now baby! Use your ring finger- it’s the most padded of all your fingertips and the weakest finger so you’re less likely to tug or pull on that area. Pat, roll, hold.
  • OSEA Malibu Atmosphere Protection Cream: sounds weird but a lot of lotions don’t necessarily provide moisture to your skin (i.e. a lot of SPFs protect but don’t hydrate) hence use a moisturizer daily and this is one of my favorites! A barrier between your skin and the elements, you’ll want to remember this step.
  • Coola classic sunscreen SPF 50: please never ever leave the house without sunscreen. The sun is your skin’s number 1 aging contributor. I love this one because it’s silky, absorbs quickly, and doesn’t interfere with my makeup.
  • Murad retinol youth renewal night cream: advertised as a night cream, I use this both day and night on my neck and decollete. It’s a richer cream but doesn’t leave your sticky or greasy and for me it’s important to keep that area hydrated to avoid turkey neck! Retinol gets a bad rep sometimes but my skin tolerates it well.

So there you have it babes! Five minutes in the morning before you start the day and you’re on your way to a brighter, dewy, more youthful appearance <3 Next week I’ll share my nighttime routine!

Do you have a skincare routine that you perform each day? Share it with me I love trying new products! 

 

 

My morning routine and why you need one too!

This post was sponsored by Café Bustelo as part of an Influence Central campaign, however all opinions expressed here are my own.

I recently uploaded a video to my YouTube channel where I share with you some highs and lows I’ve experienced being a teen mom. I believe that so much of being a parent revolves around patience, understanding, and the desire to teach over the desire to punish. So much easier said than done when your emotions are high and your tolerance is low, I know. Though my Corriney is 19 years old, this mama is still very much a part of #TeamNoSleep!

Something I touch on in my video is the importance of setting aside time each day that is just for you. As a mom and a generally compassionate person, a lot of my time is spent making sure that everyone around me is okay. So much so that sometimes I forget that I need to do that for myself too, or I start to feel like the walls are closing in.

My morning routine, that’s just for me. I’m a coffee and carbs kind of morning person and I love waking up before anyone else does. There’s something really special about enjoying quiet, still mornings before the day begins. I’m up around 6am to doodle in my planner, prep for the gym, and set my intentions for the day over a cup of coffee and puppy snuggles. The pups love our morning routine just as much as I do because they get 100% of my attention before I run a muck for the day.


As a part of Hispanic Heritage Month, Café Bustelo® K-Cup® Pods launched at Target and I couldn’t wait to try them. They’re espresso style and just what I need to literally kick start my day- I mean I head to bootcamp before Joe leaves for work on most days. My favorite way to enjoy a cup each morning is cafe con leche style with warm milk, cinnamon, and sugar … oh and whipped cream!

During the week it’s a cup of cafe con leche with toast and eggs, something simple and fast that I can just run out the door with. On weekends when both Corrine and Joe are home, their favorite lately has been my huevos rancheros quinoa bowls! It’s spicy, protein packed, and delicious!



I didn’t know if my Target was going to have the Café Bustelo K Cup Pods but lucky for me they were easy to find- bright in color and displayed with the rest of the K Cup Pods. I’ve got to tell you, as a coffee connoisseur, I’m swooning over Café Bustelo’s bold flavor that I can still taste through the milk, sugar, and whipped cream I pair it with. It has this full bodied, rich flavor, that you can both smell and taste. I know that sounds a bit woo woo but once you’ve tried it you’ll know exactly what I’m talking about!

Do yourself a favor and adopt a morning routine that’s just for you, and however you take your coffee, try Café Bustelo! It’s available at Target in whole bean, ground, K-Cup Pods, instant, and brick, so pick some up and try it the way I have it each morning. You can get 10% off with the Target Cartwheel app, you know I love a great bargain!

I’ll link you to my video here, please Subscribe if you haven’t already, I have a whole series where I just chat mom life <3 You do you and get on a routine that’s realistic and manageable, and remember that mamas need a break sometimes too.

Do you have a morning routine? How do you carve out time each day just for you? 

 

 

 

 

Best Vegan Mint Milkshake With Nada Moo!

Earlier this year we took a 30 day Vegan challenge and I say “we” because I basically forced my family to do it with me. Corrine’s been a pescatarian since she was 12 so this is something that was easier for her to manage and she actually loved it.

You’d be surprised by how much animal bi-product is in everything, which made it difficult at times but we did it! We experimented with a whole new way to prepare food in it’s deliciousness, and I think moving forward I’ll stay dairy free . . . just hurts my tummy.

So Corriney made me this delicious vegan milk shake for me the other night because I was craving McDonald’s mcflurry and she advised me against it lol

You’ll need:

  • Nada Moo dairy free ice cream (we went with  my favorite – mint chocolate chip)
  • Coconut flakes
  • Almond milk

Blend them all together, measurements depending on how thick or thin you like your milkshakes, garnish with some fresh mint and you’re set!

Have you tried going dairy free, gluten free, or vegan? How did it go? 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Top Shelfie Picks + GIVEAWAY!

What fun would a top notch selfie be without the addition of a top shelfie?! Social media has taken the regular ol’ selfie and upgraded it to a product-driven top shelfie! If you haven’t seen this hashtag that’s overthrown the “favorites” product list on your Instagram feed, I’ll share with you my #topshelfie and I hope it inspires you to share yours!

So here it is, my current list of favorites . . . errr top shelfie products, and why I’m so swoon!

  • Circ- Cell: a) face rejuvenation serum– easily one of my holy grail products of the year, this silky formula is enriched with oxygen and algae complex. It visibly brightens and tones your skin, and contains sea fennel stem extract. My favorite part beyond the benefits, is that the scent is clean and light and Circ-Cell products are paraben free! b) rejuvenating eye serum– your eyes say it all baby. With this light and quickly absorbed serum, the appearance of puffiness and dark circles will be gone! Also enriched with oxygen and algae complex, your friends will wonder how you’re so dewy and glowy! shhhh 😀
  • Native natural deodorant: as you know I’ve tried many all-natural deodorants and this stood the test of sweat and stank! Coconut Vanilla and Lavender are my all time favorites btw! It won’t chafe you at all and will protect you against funkiness. But remember, your body needs some time to rid itself of those toxins, so be patient lil grasshoppa 😉
  • IT Cosmetics Confidence In A Compact: +SPF  50! I mean c’mon! So I’m one of those people who live for the “natural- but totally not natural – you can still see my pores” kinda look. This foundation IS that and contains their best selling Confidence In A Cream . . . do it! Buildable, smooth, and anything but cakey – this is one of my favorite products of the summer.
  • Coola Classic Sport SPF 50: a usual suspect in the line up of my go-to’s, this SPF is light, nourishing, goes well under your makeup, and is full of antioxidants! Coola products make it into my year round must haves.
  • OSEA Atmosphere Protection Cream: applied before my sunscreen and after my Circ-Cell, this hydrating cream helps to provide a protective barrier between my skin and the environment. Containing Shea Butter and Avocado Oil, it’s moisturizing without being greasy and won’t interfere with the yaaaaas queen of your makeup.

  • Dove Dry Shampoo: I have my friend Miya to thank for this one! It smells so clean and fresh and doesn’t leave behind any white residue or flakiness. I carry this in the car for after the gym or for before an event when I feel like I smell like scalp . . . you know what I mean 😉
  • Caudalie Vinosource Overnight Recovery Oil: plant and essential oil based, this product is ONE of the TWO things I will NOT go to sleep without applying to my face . . . the other is my eye serum duh. Although it’s an oil it’s not greasy or sticky, it’s easily absorbed, and you’ll wake up feeling like newness.
  • Ange Ou Demon Perfume: if you’ve ever hugged me IRL, you know I covet smelling like an angel fallen from heaven fresh out the shower HAHA This perfume right here, it’s my signature scent! It’s sexy, subtle, flirty, and fun! A lil peppery- but I say, if it doesn’t make you sneeze than it’s not spicy enough 😉
  • Pur-lisse Blue Lotus + White Tea Sheet Mask: if you have skin than you need this! I’m all about preventative measures now so that I don’t have to worry about it later! We’re all gonna age y’all so lets do it gracefully! This is an all-natural fiber mask infused with Blue Lotus and restorative Asian botanicals. It packed full of antioxidants and you’ll go to sleep feeling like a brand new (and more youthful) you!

There you have it! My current favorites, go-to’s, and must have top shelfies! But wait, there’s more! Not only do I enjoy sharing with you what I love in these articles but I also love GIFTING them to you IRL!

I’m happy to announce that I’ll be doing a Circ-Cell giveaway where two of you will receive a travel sized skin care kit FULL of their best sellers! I hope you know that I would not promote anything I don’t already use myself and adore, so believe me when I say that I’m JEALOUS to mail these out haha

The giveaway will be done over on my Instagram page so please follow me over there, follow Circ-Cell, and comment on my last post ONE thing about your skin that you’d love to improve and ONE thing that you LOVE about yourself!

I’ll choose two winners and announce them this Saturday! Good luck and I love thee and yo beautiful self!

Have you tried any of the products I listed here today? What products made it into your #topshelfie list this month? 

 

 

 

 

 

Crazy food night with my husband!

Oh la la, I said husband! So Joe and I had a crazy food night making spicy quesadillas and Hi-C margaritas! I say crazy because of the copious amounts of jalapenos that went into making them 😉 Give these a try for a fun date night or dinner with friends . . . oh oh have a game night!

The Hi-C margarita was sweet but not too sweet, slushy but not too slushy, and just the perfect amount of ice crunch!

Please Subscribe to my channel if you haven’t, I love creating these food/ beverage nights with you!

What themed night would you like to see next? Girls night? Sleepover? Movie night?