Five Gifts For The Cool Guy in Your Life

Photography by: Authentic Grace Photography
Post sponsored by Duke Cannon. Opinions are 100% my own.

Let's face it; buying gifts for guys is really hard. Unless they are reaaaaally into something VERY specific, guys are not really good at knowing what they want for a gift. I partnered up with Duke Cannon (one of my husband's fave brands!) to show you some of cute gifts including some of their products that will make you the master gifter this holiday season.

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The Stories Behind A Smile

Photography by: Miles + Smiles Productions

Post sponsored by ARC Whitening Strips. Opinions are 100% my own.

It is true, I am a happier and better person in the summer. I guess it’s all that vitamin D and the gorgeous Minneapolis summer days that truly fill my heart with joy. There is NOTHING that I love more than a Friday afternoon at a lake or just simply our soaking in the warmth, because well we don’t get many of those days through the year.

I’ve also tried to smile more on my photos, like big huge smiles. I remember a couple of years back when I started the blog someone said that I was too serious on all my photos. And that really stuck with me, and ever since I’ve been working on it. I have noticed though how much confidence a real smile can bring, but well sometimes the different foods and drinks can make our smile a bit duller. 

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Ageless With Olay

Photography by: Authentic Grace Photography
Post sponsored by Olay. Opinions are 100% my own.

The secret is out! A lot of people are so surprised about my age because they say I look a lot younger. I have to thank my momma for the good genes but also doing the work pays off! 

After turning 33 my skin regimen is becoming a bit more complex and with a lot more intention. I used to grab whatever I could find at a drugstore and call it a day, now a days that looks a whole lot different.

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Hello 33 & Hello Summer!

Photography by: Angel Torres

Post sponsored by Olay. Opinions are 100% my own.

Memorial Day is almost here and that means that summer is around the corner! While the beginning of Spring does take my breath away, I have to say Summer is my all-time favorite season. The impromptu BBQs and tanning seshs, pool parties and summer cocktails is what I live for!

I will be staying in Minneapolis because we just came back from Miami but we are celebrating my hubby’s and my birthday! Yes, we have almost the same birthday (his is 21st and mine 22nd) and we are meeting some friends at my favorite brewery here in the Twin Cities.

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Dear Future Self: You Are Enough

Photography by: Angel Torres

Post sponsored by Olay. Opinions are 100% my own.

I’ve always struggled with Imposter Syndrome and that is not a secret to anyone. I guess we all do, but I have learned that it’s not about the syndrome but rather what you do with those feelings and how you react when they hit you all at once.

To me, the feeling is even stronger when all my life I’ve have been told I am a strong independent woman. I know I am, I have proven to myself that I can face pretty much anything life throws my way but as I get older, the challenges come with more responsibilities and yes, that scares me. At 33 years old I am pretty much running marketing for the multicultural demographic for a Fortune 500 corporation. 

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Mom & Daughter Day with Ponds

Photography by: Angel Torres & Diego Camargo

Post sponsored by Mirum. Opinions are 100% my own.

Some of you may know that sadly my mom and I don’t live on the same state. It's not easy being away from her because we are pretty close and pretty much have the same personality. It been more than 12 years since I left home, and it kills me that my parents are growing old and I don’t get to enjoy more time with them. Also, I have to say I am probably not the best daughter (!!!) Ever since I got married life just got 200% busier and keeping in contact with them is a challenge. That is why whenever I get a chance to talk to them, I try to make the most of it.

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Put Your Hands Up For Spring!

Photography by: Angel Torres

Post sponsored by Mirum. Opinions are 100% my own.

The countdown to summer has begun and I CANNOT WAIT! I am ready for pool parties, tanning seshs and all the fun things Minneapolis has to offer. And if you are wondering, yes Minneapolis and it's summers are beyond magical!

Even though I can already feel spring peeking through, spring and fall are probably the shortest seasons here in Minnesota. The temperatures during summer while rare they can get pretty hot even hit the 100°F mark so a good deodorant is a MUST!

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Step by Step Press On Nails Tutorial

Sponsored by Dashing Diva

I have used press on manis before but I wasn't very impressed with the quality, so when I got this one my expectations were pretty low. But I was so surprised with how amazing Dashing Diva nails are!
Ever since I shared my super cute mani on my Instagram I got SO many questions about it so I decided to do a step by step tutorial so you can also see how easy and quick they are to put on. So let's get started:

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My 3 Go-To’s To Get My Skin Winter-Ready

Oh the cold weather is definitely here in Minnesota! A little too early than what I would have liked but I guess it is time to embrace it and get ready for it. My skin is one of the first things that I try to think about since the earlier that I start taking care of it, the better it will look during the harsher months.

This will be my third Minnesota winter and I have learned so much about skincare the last two winters, so here are my 3 go-to’s to get my skin ready

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My Relationship With Sunscreen

Photography by: Angel Torres

Now that I’m back from Miami with a sun kissed tan, it really made me think about how I treat sun skincare as a whole. Not only because I wanted a tan (after hibernation for 6 months) but also because I became very aware of it a few years back.

I am not going to lie, I’ve been pretty reckless with my skin. I used to be the girl who would go a couple of times a week to the tanning salon to lay on a tanning bed back in high school. I KNOW! IT WAS AWFUL! I did it for a couple of years until I moved, and my tanning salon was not close to me anymore- Thank God! I truly can’t even imagine all the damage I caused to y skin and how many years I added to my appearance just because I wanted to be super tanned.

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Living That Coconut Life

Photography by: Angel Torres

Its been an amazing couple of days in Miami so far. Had some family time, beach time, friends time, food time and of course some pool time too.

Being back in Miami after almost a year and a half, has brought a lot of memories but it has also shown us a different side to it and now we get to actually be tourists! There are so many things that I never enjoyed here in Miami that are well, SO MIAMI! As simple as drinking coconut water straight out of the coconut. Well, now I have and I'm happy I did it. It's going to be a problem because I dont think I can find it in Minneapolis when I go back. Ha!

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Adding Back Spring Vibes

Photography by: Angel Torres

Well, Spring has finally sprung in the Twin Cities and I could not be more excited about it! After 2 feet of snow last weekend, hitting 60 degrees today felt like paradise. This winter felt like it was 30 years long so I am so excited to revamp my Spring wardrobe and the scents I've been using. 

Each season has its charm, it's smells, and it's vibe. But I personally love spring and all the new life that brings. This year I'm really into spring dresses; perhaps not the traditional colors but anything flirty and light like this polka dot wrap dress. I paired it with this straw hat and bag because don't they just scream summer?! And no look is complete without the perfect scent to go with it so for this look I decided to use the Caress Sweet Violet Botanical Body Spray because I am a sucker for musky scents and I felt like it went perfect with the dress!

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Making Your Way Back Into Fitness Less Painful

Photography by: Angel Torres

My fitness journey has been like a roller coaster. I hit an all-time high and then I get sick or I have to travel and that’s the end of that. I think consistency has been an issue for me ever since I can remember, even if I try. But now that I’m about to turn 32 and hopefully start a family soon, I want to break old bad habits and “adult” more.

I don’t work out to lose weight, thankfully I don’t need to. I work out for mental health and as a stress reducer. I took a looooong break from it because I was focusing on some other areas in my life but about 2 weeks ago as I was going to bed I thought to myself “maybe tomorrow I’ll work out” and the thought grew overnight and, in the morning, I was actually pretty excited about it.

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Winter Travel Skin Care with Olay

2018 started in such an amazing way! I finally am starting to feel like I’m settling into my Minnesota life with my hubby and Milo. And it also started with some of the things I enjoy the most; traveling. Last week I was in New York shooting some new stuff for Target.

But with traveling it also comes some worries like how to keep my skin happy and healthy while I’m on the road? Traveling takes a big toll on both our bodies and skin and I try my best to keep them both healthy. One of my secret weapons this winter has been the new Olay Whips! I have been using the Luminous line and it gives me the perfect amount of radiance without the shine- my skin can get pretty oily. So, what make it so special? Well, for starters the texture of it is like nothing I’ve felt before, almost like a velvet soft feeling. It also helps to minimize the appearance of pores and I am all up for it!

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Debunking the Laser Hair Removal Myths

Photography by: Angel Torres

The first time I had laser hair removal was from what I thought one of the most respected clinics, turned out to be a total scam. Maybe you have heard about American Laser Center and how they ripped off thousands of people with treatments they paid in advance. Thankfully I was "done" with my treatment but I was never happy with the results and well needless to say the "life time touch ups" they promised were not going to happen. 

I am Latina, and my hair is pretty dark and I am quite hairy. Shaving every other day is becoming way too much and a little tedious to be honest. Not to mention that I also suffer from ingrown hairs. So the whole, nice and smooth legs it has never really been true for me. The first time I attempted laser hair removal was for my underarms and my upper lip. The under arm was pretty good and I have to barely shave once in a while but my upper lip was the biggest waste of money, literally didn't budge. So I gave up and went back to regular shaving after a couple thousand dollars later. Yep, you red that right thousands. Until I discovered Pure Lux Med Spa.

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My Winter-Proof Skincare Routine with Olay

Photography by: Angel Torres

This is a sponsored conversation with Olay, but all opinions are my own.

Winter is one of the harshest seasons and well, living in the Midwest it’s even worst. This is my second Minnesota winter and it definitely came in a lot earlier than it did last year. The air is much colder and we even had two snow days already. Last year around this time I remember it was maybe in the 70s.

As I get used to this whole “seasons” thing I have made some tweaks in my beauty routine to get my skin ready for them, specially for winter! I started the Olay 28 Day Challenge and I really love the results. Who could have thought that just by changing my normal moisturizer for the Olay Total Effects Moisturizer with SPF 15 in the mornings and the Olay Eyes Deep Hydrating Eye Gel in the mornings and nights I would feel such a difference?! A simple 2 steps that I am sure is helping me get ready for a harsh winter. And you guys know that I am all about a simple skin routine. The biggest difference that I have noticed is that before when I took of my make-up and wash my face, my skin tended to feel a little tight, then I would go to bed and I usually sleep on my side; that is exactly what causes wrinkles and fine lines around my eyes. I think the constant hydration thru the day with the Olay total effects Moisturizer plus the humph of the Olay Eyes Deep Hydrating Eye gel at night really helped me avoid some fine lines.

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Me Time On a Budget

Photography by: Angel Torres

I was asked by Casousele to participate in the #HygroCotton campaign, sponsored by Welspun. Although I have been compensated, all opinion are my own. 

Sometimes life gets so hectic that we forget to take care of ourselves. But we have to remember that we are important too and if we are not ok then things will not be ok. This is why it is so important to take some time off even if it’s at home to pamper ourselves. I know that I am guilty of overworking myself. Between the blog and my day job, I literally have no time off and the few hours that I do have free I try to spend them with my hubby.

This past summer went by so fast and so many things happened that I really wanted to pamper myself without any pricey fancy spas. Don’t get me wrong I would love to but right now we are on a tight budget. So, I decided to do my own spa at home. This easy 7 item-relaxing session that requires nothing fancy and stuff that you probably have at home.

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Skin Confidence After 30

Photography by: Angel Torres

It’s been a month since my 31^st birthday and I can truly say I have never felt more comfortable on my own skin. I used to be very self-conscious about my body (always way too skinny) and about my skin (dealing with acne).

People say that after 30 your skin starts to act up and that wrinkles start making an appearance. According to the Good Housekeeping Study, some women get really concerned about aging and can end up paying $400 for an anti-wrinkle cream. However, you don’t have to go to that extreme to get great results.

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Staying active and feeling good

Photography by: Angel Torres

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of prAna.  The opinions and text are all mine.

As you guys know, this year I’ve been wanting to focus on staying active. I do not like to work out but since I lived in Austin I realized that doing something does improve my mood a lot. This year I was basically tricked by my friends to start working out and now I am hooked. But the only workout that I truly enjoy I found it here in Minneapolis and it is called Alchemy 365. It is a mix of power yoga for warm-ups and cool-downs and 10 mins of very intense actual workout (I call it soft core CrossFit).

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The beauty in "beauty sleep" starts with a good facial cleanser

Photography by: Angel Torres

This content was sponsored by Olay, but all thoughts and opinions are my own. I hope you enjoy following along! #ad

It really feels like forever since my last blog post! But I am happy the rebranding is done and that I got so much positive feedback from you guys!

I partnered up with Olay to bring you guys my night routine. You already know that I do not like to put a lot of products on my face and that I like to keep it minimal. So as expected my skin routine is short and simple.

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