Surprise! We Moved!

Puff Sleeve Sweater: Express (Similar) / Jeans: JCrew
Headband: Anthropologie

As if I thought things would be pretty easy going staying at home the last few weeks, they have been quite the opposite. During the last few weeks we moved into our new home! We are still getting settled in, and it’s been busy! Initially I thought I would have so much time to get things done, but now with stores being closed, things are taking so much longer to ship and reach their destination (one of our shipments was delayed two weeks!). I’ve had a hard time getting myself to buy pieces just looking at them over the internet. So for now I’m holding off on purchasing bigger items such as our dining room table and chairs but other things in the house are slowly but surely coming together. Here’s are some tips doing a moving during this time!

Tips for Moving During COVID-19:

1. Reach out to moving companies early - It wasn’t too difficult to find moving companies since we were flexible with our move date and time but I did find that alot of moving companies were closed and dates were booked well in advance. We used BR Moving company for our move which we had used in a prior move so I was comfortable going with them. They were also able to secure the street permits for the moving truck as well so that was a big help.

2. Check in to see what the Company’s COVID-19 policy for moving is - Movers had masks and we kept a safe distance away. I clearly labeled all of our boxes, furniture and even rugs (with painters tape) so there was no confusion or discussion as to where pieces were going.

3. If you have enough time, tackle packing one room at a time - We were fortunate to pack up the house in a phased approach. We packed up the rooms that we weren’t using in our old home first (i.e. guest room, basement, 4th floor) and then the rooms that we used the most for last. Labeling all boxes is also key!

4. Obtaining packaging supplies - Businesses such as U-Haul are considered essential, and luckily we were able to get packaging supplies from there such as packaging tape and boxes. We also wrapped anything that anyone could physically touch in covers - we bought sofa moving covers and mattress covers. For any furniture, once it was moved into the house we wiped it down as soon as the movers were done. We also cleaned all surfaces and floors after the move was complete. It was a long day but worth it!

5. Last but not least, don’t stress - Everything will fall into place. Moving can be scary during this time but businesses are prepared and as long as you are prepared also, then it can go seamlessly.

   Also, if you’re thinking about purchasing a home in Pennsylvania feel free to send me an email! I recommend Harkeet Chadha & Associates for all your home buying needs! Harkeet has sold hundreds of homes in the Philadelphia area and I couldn’t recommend a better realtor!

Top 5 Sandals for Spring with JustFab

Linen Blazer: JustFab / Jeans: JCrew / V-Neck Bodysuit: Everlane
Sunglasses: Rayban / Purse: Chanel
Block Heeled Sandal: JustFab

It’s been quite some time since I’ve done a fashion related blog post! I wanted to show off these beautiful sandals from JustFab (and obviously these photos were taken while social distancing on our rooftop!). JustFab has an amazing variety of styles of sandals in all different styles and colors! I can’t wait to re-wear these sandals with a romper or a pretty dress! I also picked up this pretty beige linen jacket which is also perfect for springtime!

Here are my Top 5 Sandals for Spring:

1. Block Heeled Sandal
   2. Beach Getaway Slide
   3. Slip on Wedge
   4. Sheer Slip on Mule
   5. Mule Strap Pump

Thank you to JustFab for sponsoring this post.

Sephora Beauty Insider Spring Sale 2020 Picks

It’s my favorite time of year when Sephora kicks off their sale which only happens twice a year! If you haven’t heard yet, the sale at Sephora starting today, April 17, for the spring season! All levels – Sephora Rouge, VIB and Beauty Insider can shop the sale of the season!

The reason this sale is so awesome is that department stores will never give you this much of a discount off of beauty products! So if you’ve been thinking of splurging on the Dyson Hairdryer or T3 Styling Wand now is the time to buy those investment pieces.

HOW TO SHOP THE SEPHORA SALE

First off, you need to be a member of the Beauty Insider program (you can sign up here).

The way the sale works it’s in a tiered format:

To receive 20% off Items:

·         Rouge members – Receive 20% off April 17 – May 1
Code: SPRINGSAVE

To receive 15% off Items:

·         VIB members – Receive 15% off April 21 – April 29
Code: SPRINGSAVE

To receive 10% off Items:

·         Beauty Insiders – Receive 10% off April 23 – April 27 
Code: SPRINGSAVE

If you aren’t familiar with the tiers here is a run down on how it works. The top tier is VIB Rouge which is for those customers that spend $1,000 a year. The next tier is VIB for customers who spend $350 a year. The third tier is Beauty Insider which is for any customers in the program who spend less than $350 a year. 

WHAT TO BUY FROM THE SEPHORA VIB SALE - TOP 10 ITEMS

1. T3 Styling Wand - This curling wand does WONDERS to your hair and creates long lasting curls! I always struggled with curls falling out soon after I've curled my hair but this styling wand is amazing! What's even better is that this comes in a set of THREE barrels so you get more for your money! Plus this Styling Wand is currently on sale for $250 (it has a value of $355!).

2.  Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer - This one is a personal favorite. I absolutely hate drying my hair. It’s very long and curly/wavy so it takes forever. The Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer is made my life so much easier with its high-speed, powerful, brushless digital motor and intelligent heat control for shine. If you have any questions about this hair dryer or want a review on it please let me know in the comments or send me an email!

3. Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask - Still one of the hottest products in the blogger community, this mask does not disappoint. I love how thick the mask is and how hydrating it is (definitely great for those that have dry and dull skin). This mask is also free from harmful ingredients - double win!

4. Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder - I’ve been using a loose setting powder every time I do my makeup. It really helps to set my undereye makeup so it doesn’t crease and to contour the sides of my nose. I love that it also comes in a mini travel size which I bought as part of the sale so I use it on the go! I have tried other setting powders and I continuously come back to this one!

5. Lip Combo - To get my signature lip combo I use these three products. I first start off my lining my lips with the Smashbox Lip Liner in Nude Medium followed by filling in my lips with the Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick in Bow N Arrow. Then once that’s dry I use the Charlotte Tilbury Collagen Lip Bath Gloss in Sheer. This combo makes the most beautiful glossy neutral lip color.

6. Tarte Creaseless Undereye Concealer - This concealer is another one of my favorites. I like to use this concealer paired with the Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder and it creates a flawless finish!

7. Moisturizers - Nothing is more important than a great base! I like to keep my skin well hydrated and moisturized. Here are some of my favorite moisturizers: Belif The True Cream Aqua Bomb, First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream Intense Hydration and Tatcha Water Cream.

8. Face Tools - I have a Jade Roller and use it on my face with a serum. I also have my eye on this Gua Sha tool and have heard so many great things about it! The Gua Sha tool promotes the lifting and smoothing of the skin and it leaves the face lifted and looking radiant (sign me up please!).

9. Foundation - There are so many foundations out there but one that I have been wanting to try is the Fenty Beauty by Rihanna which is a soft-matte long-wear foundation that comes in 50 shades! My go-to foundation is the Lancome Teint Idole Ultra Long Wear Foundation which is a long-wear foundation and lasts for up to 24 hours (you can read my review here).

10. Perfume - When does perfume EVER go on sale? Well during the Sephora sale they sure do! I have both the COCO Mademoiselle and the Chloé Eau de Parfum they are both amazing. I always make sure to stock up on perfumes during each sale and cologne for my husband as well. He loves the Bleu De CHANEL and it smells sooo good!

What will you be shopping from the Sephora Sale?

Five Tips for Working From Home During Quarantine

Quite alot has happened since my last blog on the first day of spring! Since then, we have been in quarantine here in Philadelphia due to the coronavirus and we are currently in the middle of Week 4. The first week of the quarantine was definitely spent trying to figure out a routine and what worked best for me. It honestly took time for me to get into a routine and honestly, what works for everyone will be different. But I just wanted to share with you all what’s been working for me and I would love to hear from all of you on what’s been working and how everyone is holding up (comment below!!).

I also created an imagine that you can pin with an example of my Monday-Friday schedule! It’s so important to have a routine. For me, it brings me mental clarity and I find myself being so much more productive. I am able to get everything that I need to done and have time for hobbies and hanging out with my hubby (it’s his birthday today by the way!)

For those of you that are new here, I do have a corporate full time job in Finance with a huge company located in Philadelphia so figuring out how to work from home without being distracted was crucial for me. The mistake that I made initially in the first few days is I would sit the kitchen on our kitchen island and literally be snacking all day. So once I moved my laptop and files into our home office I was finding that I was wayy more productive and snacking less (double win!).

How is everyone holding up? What things are you doing to stay productive?

Five Tips for Working From Home During Quarantine

Create a Schedule
Having a schedule is soo important! If you’re like me and get distracted easily, it’s much more time manageable to get things done if you have a schedule that you can adhere too! Usually at the end of each day I will make a schedule for the next day. Similar to the image above (make sure to pin it and refer back!)

Get Dressed
I find that when I am dressed I am so much more productive! So if you’re like me, change out of your pj’s and into “work attire.” On days where I workout at lunch time I make sure to brush my teeth and wash my face first thing in the morning and change out of my pj’s!

Limit Distractions
It’s so easy to get distracted especially if you don’t have a good set up. What worked for me (and I learned this the hard way on the first few days) was to stop sitting at the kitchen island and infront of the tv. I set up my home office and it’s been working great because there are minimal distractions. You’ll find that you’re so much more productive and can get things done at a much faster pace. For me, this means I get to spend my free time doing other things that I enjoy!

Take a Break
It’s soo easy to get lost in what you’re doing. I like to take a break half way during the day which is why I workout during my lunch time. I’ve found some amazing 30 minute HITT Cardio YouTube videos that have been working pretty great for me and I know alot of gyms are doing virtual classes! I highly recommend these two workouts from YouTube: 30 Minute HITT Cardio and this 30 Minute HITT Cardio with Abs. Other things you can do is to take a walk and get some fresh air especially if it’s a nice day outside! Make sure you get up and stretch every hour.

Set Rules/Boundaries
Living with another person can also be very distracting. Make sure to set some ground rules and boundaries with your partner. What works for me is that I shut my door if I am working on an important deadline or if I am on a work related phone call. I sit in the office and my husband uses the downstairs space to do his work.

First Day of Spring and Cozy Sweatshirt

Puff Sleeve Sweatshirt: Express (Sold Out - Similar and Similar)
Jeans: Citizens of Humanity
Purse: Chanel / Lipstick: Sephora / Heels: Old (Similar)

Happy first day of spring! I have to say that these are really odd times in today’s world. I am doing my best to keep a positive outlook and am doing my part in staying home (I am also WFH remotely for a month - or even more if things change). These photos were taken a while back before everything with COVID-19 started (so don’t worry I am not out and about!). I hope everyone is doing safe and well.

Since I’m working from home, my entire wardrobe and schedule has changed. I wake up around 8AM, make coffee and immediately turn on my laptop and work until about noon. Then I workout (I found some amazing videos on Youtube and also found a couple of gyms that are doing live streaming from their homes), shower and eat lunch. Then I go back to work until about 5:30PM. That being said, I literally have no reason to dress up so I’ve been rocking cozy loungewear around the house. This puff sleeve sweater is soo cozy and is especially perfect for those days that you want to change out of your PJs and feel good!

Here are some other loungewear options that I am loving right now: mix and match set, this cute pink set, this neutral set. These sweatshirts: pocket sweatshirt, loungewear sweatshirt, and crop sweatshirt. These bottoms are also on sale: fleece sweatpants, knit joggers, terry sweatpants and these sweatpants (I have these in black but going to order more colors!). And also can’t forget leggings - these my favorite!

What other sorts of posts would you like to see during this time? Comment below!