My Top 5 Beach Must Haves

   

    

        For the past couple of weeks, I have be on vacation... who needs college to have a spring break!  If you can't tell from my OOTD  post, I live in a state that has been very cold & snowy, so I was more than excited to hop on a plane and fly to the beautiful, sunshine state, Florida.  Though I have only been here a few weeks, I am kind of a pro (if I must say so myself) at knowing what I need and don't need for the beach.  At home, I spend my summers soaking up the sun, and I vacation at the same beach every fall/winter since I was 6 months old (where I am currently).  Here are "my top 5 beach must haves" for all the upcoming spring breakers,  unexperienced beach go-ers, or anyone who just needs a little bit of sunshine in their life!

#1 SUNSCREEN

Probably the most important "must have" one could take to the beach, and for obvious reasons, to protect your skin!  I'm not going to lecture you because at one point in my life I would fight every adult who would try to convince (or spray me...*cough Grandma cough*) to put sunscreen on.  I used to think my skin didn't need it because of my Italian heritage; I was obviously wrong every time I ended up looking like a red tomato!  Over the years, I have learned the benefits of sunscreen, and that I can still get a nice, healthy tan even after applying it.  My favorite to use is the sunscreen with the dry oil it in, Banana Boat makes a great one.  It doesn't feel oily and you can't even feel it on your skin (except it does smell a little like bananas which is strange!)  You need a sun screen with at least a SPF of 15 to 30… the oil helps you tan, but the SPF prevents burning!

#2 A WELL FITTED BATHING SUIT

I don't care if you're 90 pounds or 200 pounds, if you are not comfortable with the bathing suit you are wearing, you're relaxing day is going to turn into a day full of anxiety.  I am very pleased with my body, but there are times when I do feel uneasy about it; I think every female, even male, can feel that way. Nothing is worse than when you're at the beach where everyone is practically wearing a bra & underwear, and you just feel horrible about yourself.  Wearing something that is going to make you feel comfortable in your own skin will totally change how your day is going to go.  Find the bathing suit that is the right fit for your body type, life style, beliefs, etc.  I know for me, I feel I can be too chesty for how petite I am, therefore, I tend to wear a top that is going to flatter me.  For example, a ruffle or crop top bikini will do the trick; also, I avoid staying away from strapless tops because if not I'll spend all day thinking about if I am spilling out of my top.  Personally, I don't like to show off "everything my momma gave me!"  My favorite store to find bathing suits is Target, it's affordable & they have options for everyone!

#3 FOOD

I love to eat, and I don't know what the sun does to me, but it makes me extra hungry!  I tend to crave healthy foods when I am at the beach because I mean you are spending the day wearing 5 inches of fabric that tend to show off, well everything.  Don't get me wrong, I do chow down on a bag of chips every once in awhile too! Fruit is always good to bring to the beach, it's refreshing & healthy.  Some other foods that have been my favorite this vacation are Stonyfield Whole Milk French Vanilla yogurt mixed with Kind Honey & Oat granola clusters, it's so good!  Tip: You can freeze the yogurt so it cools you down and it even taste a little like ice cream ;)  Another beach fav that isn't too unhealthy- peppers & eggs on Italian bread aka the most DELICIOUS sandwich ever. Honestly, you can bring whatever food floats your boat, but just take something or else you are going to regret it, trust me!  AND don't forget water or another beverage that will keep you & your skin hydrated, you'll be thankful for it later.

#4 ENTERTAINMENT

For me, that means whatever book I'm currently reading on my Nook (wouldn't recommend, never works properly) and my phone, so I can listen to music. This is short & sweet, whatever you can sit hours doing bring it, because after  awhile of listening to children screaming, talking to your friends, or playing beach volleyball with some cute guys you're going to want to have "you time" & relax, after all isn't that what the beach is all about?

#5 TOWEL

A beach towel = a place to sit, a tanning bed, something to dry off the salt water, or a blanket to keep you warm when that cool breeze hits. Let's just say its multi-functional and a must!  My personal fav are the extra large beach towels, it's worth the few extra dollars you'll pay.

I hope you find my beach must haves helpful! 

♡Alia, the beach bum!  

Review | Dessange California Blonde Illuminating Shampoo, Conditioner & Correcting Creme #JadoreDessange

       As a member of Influenster Nation a.k.a influenster.com, I receive complementary products (voxboxes) in the mail from time to to time to test out and review.  The voxbox I am reviewing in this post is called #JadoreDessange, featuring Dessange hair care products which have now launched in the US, having originated in France! I was super excited to receive this box because 1) who doesn't like free things 2) I love French anything, and 3) I recently just re-colored (or should I say bleached) my hair and I was in desperate need of a new shampoo & conditioner to help nourish it.  Anyway, I think it's about time I get to the review, so here are the products & what I think about them! 

I would like to think I am kind of an expert in the blonde hair care department; I have been a (fake) blonde for many years now, and have gotten the hang of how I should treat and take care of it.  With that being said, I have tried out numerous products that claim to do it all for blonde hair.  While some have succeeded greatly, others have failed miserably.  By the way, I do have SUPER thick, wavy (getting curlier) hair so keep that in mind because that does factor into my review and how the products work for me and how they will work for you!  

          This line of hair care, California Blonde, from Dessange is designed for color-treated blonde hair, and includes 4 products (I am only reviewing the 3 listed above).  First, I really enjoy the smell, the second you take off the cap you get a floral scent, but at the same time it smells fresh.  The shampoo & conditioner share the same scent.  It is not overwhelming at all, which I like, if it is going to be on my hair all day I prefer to enjoy the scent.  Now getting down to the real 4-1-1, the shampoo itself has a great formula, not to thick but lathers really nicely.  On the other hand, the conditioner is a bit thicker, yet still very manageable and lathers easily too.  It always leaves my hair feeling silky and soft… yes please!  After rinsing, my hair feels extremely clean but does not feel striped of its natural oils and moisture, something that I prefer.  I loved the idea of the last product, the correcting creme and was most excited to try it out.  The job that it claims to do, illuminating your hair to give your a color a boost and maintain it, actually does work!!! Woohoo! I have used this a couple of times now and my color is definitely not dull; the color is maintaining and does not look brassy at all.  Truthfully, for products that you can buy at Target ("drugstore level"), I would say Dessange is worth a try; not only for the price, but the quality as well.  The shampoo & conditioner retails for $9.99 and the correcting creme "CC' is $11.99…a bargain for salon quality products!

          If you try any of the Dessange products out, let me know what you think below!

                     I received these products complimentary from Influenster for test purposes.  

Review | the Balm MARY-LOU MANIZER aka "The Luminizer" REVIEW

Can we please just talk about how cute this packaging is?! 

        my thoughts:

           The second I took this product out of the package, I knew I was going to be in love with it.  First of all, the color of this product is beautiful, the sparkle is amazing.  I quickly swatched it and could not believe the pigmentation; one little touch and I had this beautiful, opaque champagne powder on my finger.  This highlighter gives the most amazing glow to your face; I usually just brush it on my upper cheek bones and a smidge going down my nose.  A little secret, only highlight places you want people to notice, not places that you DON'T want to draw attention to!  When the sun hits this product your face just instantly lights up, and gives the most amazing finish to your makeup.  I have a very tiny face so I tend not to highlight a lot of places because I feel that it could easily overpower me and all the other makeup I have on… for people with normal sized faces, some other places that are great to highlight are your eyebrow bone & cupids bow.  Just be careful of how much product you use, you can always add more.  I would start with just a little at a time; I recommend maybe one or two brush strokes… you don't want to start to look like a disco ball! 

extra info:

         The Balm considers this product to be a highlighter / shadow / shimmer, so therefore it has multiple uses! The Mary-Lou Manizer retails for $24 on the Balm's website; I do know that other stores sell the Balm products as well.  Hautelook, where I scored mine for $12, often carries the Balm cosmetics, so if you are interested keep your eyes out!


♡Alia 

OOTD| Stars & Stripes

Sweater: H&M
Handbag: Rebecca Minkoff Mini Mac Cross Body Bag (in black & white stripe)

 Jeans: Just Black (purchased at a local boutique)

Booties: Steve Madden "Madden Girl"in style, Krando

What's In My Bag?

P.S. The coloring is a little off, the sun was being a pain! It is more like the pictures below.

P.P.S. Unfortunately, I looked online & this bag is no longer available :( 

                

From left to right:

Lint roller from Forever 21, iPhone 5S,  Tory Burch Robinson Zip Continental Wallet in Ocelot Leopard,  Seven 4 All Mankind sunglasses, Trident Layers Candy Cane gum, Palmer's Cocoa Butter lip balm, L'Oreal Color Riche Lipstick in 370 Jennifer's Nude , Cadbury Caramello chocolate bar, Eccolo notebook, Apple headphones, Susan Branch pen 


           As you all probably know, women have a tendency to keep their whole lives in their handbags.  I have been very guilty of this in the past.  Yet, because of this bag's larger size, I've tried to keep it pretty simple & neat.  If you're not careful, bags like this can easily become bottomless pits!
I'm only going to talk about a few of the items listed above, here are just a few of my essentials that make it from bag to bag!
To start off with my #1 essential (& my favorite) a wallet; this one is a Tory Burch wallet that I got for my birthday last year.  I love anything Tory, but this is truly the best wallet ever.  Even if you are just running errands, it is great to take on it's own.  This wallet holds so much & can even fit my case-less iPhone in it, plus the pattern is so fun!  Sunglasses are a must, especially if you're having a no makeup day!  I found these adorable Seven 4 All Mankind sunglasses, that fit my pea-size head perfectly, at Marshall's for super cheap.  Next essential on the list, chocolate!  Chocolate is a great snack to have in your bag, and is a must have if you get hangry (hungry + angry) like me, any snack will do though.  Clearly, I like to be healthy ;)  Also, I always have gum because who likes bad breath?  No one.  And last but not least, lip balm.  I have it on me at all times because chapped lips are just not attractive!

I would love to hear what some of your bag essentials are, so please list them in the comments below! 

♡Alia 

HOLY CHIC, I MADE A BLOG!

So I did it! After months of thinking about it, going back & forth, I finally decided to start a blog!

       This is just going to be a fun side project, since I am taking the semester off from school.  I hope that with this blog, I can share what I know (or what I think I know) about fashion and beauty.  I am the type of person that gives my honest opinion about pretty much anything and everything! Therefore, you will always be getting the truth from me; whether it is the current fashion trends I love to what beauty products suck!  I cannot wait to start this blogging adventure.  Let's begin with some fun facts, that way you can get to know me!

1. I'm a twin, younger by 1 minute!

2. I have an associate's degree in Fashion Buying & Merchandising.

3. My hair is naturally a very dark brown, but I hate it so I dye it blonde.

4. My blog name is meant to describe me, petite meaning small & chic meaning stylish.

5. I love traveling & have been very fortunate to visit a lot of places; Italy is by far my favorite destination.

6. My favorite designer is Rebecca Minkoff; her handbags are TOO DIE FOR!

7. Cadbury chocolate is pretty much the greatest thing on earth.

8. My favorite place to be = my bed.

9. I am an extremely picky eater.

10. Shopping makes me very happy! :)

11. My biggest fears- thunder/lightening & ambulances (yes, weird I know!)

12. My car's name is Peeta.

13. I've loved donuts long before it was cool to love donuts.

14. As much as I love fashion, sweatpants & sweatshirts are my favorite to wear.

15. TJ Maxx is my heaven on earth.

16. My dream car is a black Range Rover. (A girl can dream right?)

17. I love to read.

18. Right now, I am watching Parenthood on Netflix & I'm addicted (don't spoil it!)

19. I know every line to the movie, Sweet Home Alabama.

20. Christmas Eve is my favorite day of the year.

21. Carbs are my best friend.

22. I laugh at my own jokes, a lot.

23. I have always wanted to go on tour with a band.

24. I really hate when people spell/pronounce my name wrong.
ALIA = UH- LEE- UH

25. I am probably the most honest person you will ever meet.

♡Alia