Things I Learned After Turning 20: Defining My Taste

It took me a long time to pin down my style and I assume it will continue to shift throughout the years. Part of the reason was that shopping used to be a mindless pastime where I would spend my days impulsively buying things I didn't really love. There was little thought about the item's lifespan. My wasteful accumulation can partly be attributed to my line of work: I felt a (self-imposed) pressure to look a certain way and to decorate my home in a specific aesthetic. As I entered my twenties, I started to nail down a uniform and became comfortable choosing the things that made me feel most like myself.

1. Wardrobe: I used to love spending my weekend going on huge "cheapie" hauls. I’d come home with piles of trendy, inexpensive pieces (5-inch platforms and glittery skirts come to mind) that I'd wear once then relegate to the back of my closet. Now, defining my taste means making sure that anything I buy isn't an impulse purchase. I used to be far too captivated by sales and would swipe things up simply because they were cheaper than usual. My new rule of thumb: I only purchase discounted items if I could see myself paying full price for them. I've nailed down a uniform now and I stick to it. I feel the best when I'm wearing skinny jeans, heels and a button-up: a good balance between feminine and easy-going and I think figuring out that look comes from me being more comfortable in my skin. 

2. Home Decor: For years, my rooms were almost exclusively furnished with flea market items. And while I still love a good vintage piece, I found myself limited by the options I'd find and would settle for things that weren't quite right. Like a coffee table with a missing leg (seriously) that I had the best of intentions to replace (I never did), or a rug that was way too bright. Part of it was the thrill of the hunt, but ultimately, I had to reevaluate my aesthetic in order to make better decisions. In order to refine my taste, I looked through photographs and pinpointed the things I was drawn to. Even if I wasn't aware, themes began to emerge within each room and now I'm much better about trusting my gut when something feels like a good fit for my home.

3. Beauty: I’m a sucker for all things beauty and have been since I discovered the power of makeup in the latter part of high school (I was a late bloomer). My early twenties were ripe with experimentation, and I would buy the newest, name-brand nail polishes and lipsticks without a second thought. I switched up my routine often, but as with my fashion uniform, I now rely on a couple of looks. One of the benefits of being in front of a camera is that I'm quickly able to determine if a product or hairstyle suits me and when it doesn't, I ditch it. If you look at my makeup cabinet now, it's a very curated selection of items I wear on a regular basis. 

Links I Love

1. 5 books that can change your life. (time.com)

2. Little ways to make a long-term relationship feel new. (hellogiggles.com)

3. Tassel mules for spring. (jcrew.com)

4. Secrets to learning a new language. (worldofwanderlust.com)

5. Candied blood oranges. (papernstitchblog.com)

6. 39 incorrectly used words that can make you look bad. (inc.com)

7. Homemade pizza tips from Mario Batali. (bonappetit.com)

8. 16 beauty editors drugstore buys. (thecoveteur.com)

9. Chinese zodiac matchmaking guide. (graphics.latimes.com)

Rugs For Under $300

Shopping for affordable rugs that are also beautifully designed can be challenging. While searching for rugs, we checked out every outlet we could think of, from under-the-radar boutiques to major discount retailers. Most of the options we found were too expensive, or conversely, they were affordable, but borderline ugly. I've pulled together a selection of accent rugs, area rugs and runners with different styles, all under $300.

 Painted Desert, Stella Shag

Magical Thinking Kilim, Kiara Rug

Mudhut Flatwoven Stripe, Alvine Ruta

Coucou Rug, Marrakesh Shag

 Beni Rug, Black Border Jute Boucle

Mohawk Shag, Magical Thinking Salta Geo Rug

Safavieh Vintage, Kuma Rug

Safavieh Simon Vintage Rug, Olin Black Runner

Printed Ziya Rug, Nautral Fiber Rug

Nighttime Rituals That Help Me Sleep

{Eye Mask}

Sometime around three months ago, I stopped sleeping through the night. I had always had a pretty solid evening routine and after getting into bed, I'd usually be asleep within a matter of minutes. But now, everything has gotten a little out of whack. Here are the five tips that I've been relying on to help me get a better night's sleep.

1. Shut off early. I used to be much more connected to technology right before bed. We'd watch TV until I started to drift off then I'd stumble into bed, where I'd then scroll through my phone until I'd fall asleep. I soon realized being in front of so many devices before going to bed really contributed to my interrupted sleep patterns. If we're watching TV now, I try to turn it off before I start getting really tired, at which point I'll also charge my phone so I'm not tempted to look at it until morning. Also a rule I abide by: no visible clocks in the bedroom. As tempting as it is to check the time, it's never worth it. If the time is too close to when you're supposed to get up, you'll question whether it's even worth attempting to fall back asleep. And if it's still on the early side, you'll worry about how much time there is left until morning.

2. Take a bath. I used to be into a morning shower, but now I like to take a bath at night instead. I dim the lights, use a calming body wash (this one's meant for babies, but I love it) and turn on some soothing music. It feels nice getting clean and slipping into a freshly made bed. Plus, there's something about the heat of the bath that tires me out almost immediately.

3. Don't eat 2 hours before sleep and avoid caffeine late in the day. I cut out caffeine a while back, leaving room only for the occasional cup of coffee when I really need it, but never after a certain point. I try not to have anything that's stimulating after 1pm since it makes me jittery and largely contributes to my anxiety levels. We try to have dinner on the early side, sometime before 7:30pm so that I don't go to bed feeling too full. 

4. The bed is for sleeping. A friend taught me this trick a few years ago and while I had a hard time embracing it at first, it's made a huge difference in how I sleep. If you wake up in the middle of the night and are awake for more than 15 minutes, get out of bed. If you lie there for an extended period of time, you may start to associate your bed as a place of being unsettled and sleep-deprived. As painful and somewhat counterintuitive as it is, I now get up and change the scenery, even if just for a little while. I'll make some tea, read a book on the couch or just meditate in another room and once I start feeling sleepy again, I'll return to the bedroom.

5. Move at least 30-60 minutes a day. There are some days when I realize I haven't left the house at all. And while it's sometimes nice to nest and not change out of your pajamas on the weekends, I never sleep as well when that's the case. Even if I just go for a walk around the block or go to the grocery store, I now make an effort to move between 30-60 minutes a day so that I'm not restless at night.

Links I Love

1. The five mother sauces everyone should know. (food52.com)

2. Love this idea for displaying your favorite shoes. (apairandaspare.com)

3. The language of flowers. (tumblr.com)

4. An amazing living room transformation. (blog.westelm.com)

5. Adorable mini chicken pot pies. (mynameisyeh.com)

6. DIY temporary gold lipstick glasses. (sugarandcloth.com)

7. What a cup of tea looks like in 22 different countries. (pulptastic.com)

8. I need this belt in my life. (netaporter.com)

9. Things you should know if you're an Amazon shopper. (buzzfeed.com

Beauty Products With Staying Power

I’m constantly trying new skincare and beauty products, but even with a rotating roster of cleansers, mascaras and lotions, I come back to my favorite formulas again and again. I’ve always been interested in knowing what products have staying power for other people, so I thought I'd share the stable of beauty items that have proved their value to me. 

Morning Skincare Routine

Rodin Face Oil I don’t use a cleanser in the morning (I just splash cold water on my face), and instead work a few drops of Rodin Oil into my skin. I love the jasmine fragrance and also how quickly the oil absorbs, leaving my normally dry skin feel hydrated and prepped for makeup. 

La Mer The Illuminating Eye Gel An immediate de-puffer that has a cooling effect, this eye gel is a big investment, but wakes me up and makes my eyes look brighter.

Afternoon Recharge

Jurlique Rosewater Spray My skin is parched by mid-afternoon so I keep a rosewater spray on my desk. I’ve just discovered this version that smells lovely (the rose scent lingers all afternoon) and makes my skin feel refreshed.

Lucas Papaw This papaya-based Aussie salve goes onto my lips, elbows, cuticles and knuckles as a dry skin pick-me-up.

Nighttime Routine

Shiseido Benefiance Extra Creamy Cleansing Foam Smells great and makes washing my makeup off a treat. 

Lancome Bi-Facil Eye Makeup Remover I can stray, but I always come back to this oil-based makeup remover. It gets everything off in just a couple of swipes. 

Hope in a Jar Really heavy-duty cream that works while I sleep.

Le Mer Illuminating Eye Gel again at night.  

Finish off with Lucas Papaw salve.

Everyday Makeup 

Armani Foundation A little goes a long way. It’s advertised as full coverage, but I use a tiny amount and cut it with St. Tropez Gold Skin Illuminator for a dewy, sheer effect. 

Armani Liquid Bronzer - The best bronzer out there: no glitter, realistic color, and the formula mixes well with foundation for an insta-tan.

Lancôme Brow Liner I can make feather-y strokes that make my brows look much fuller than they really are. 

Shu Uemera Eyelash Curler A total cult-favorite that curls my eyelashes without that weird kink. 

Cle de Peau Concealer The creamy formula hides imperfections and glides on easily. 

Posietint Cheek Gel The formula is a blendable, buildable pink that mimics a natural flush.  

Kevyn Aucoin Mascara The bristles on the brush helps me really get into the roots of my eyelashes. It separates and lengthens my lashes, without clumping. The best part is is that the mascara washes off really quickly so I don’t have to scrub my eyes at the end of the day.

St. Tropez Gold Skin Illuminator This gives me that lit-from-within glow, and the gold coloring.