an updated skincare routine

Hi ! How is everybody doing? It's been a hectic previous week and I've come down with a cold, and as I said in yesterday's Instagram, there is nothing better than being sick because you get to relax and really take care of yourself. I've been really into skincare lately--I truly don't know what has come over me. I've just become addicted to saving up my money for higher-priced skincare & beauty items and then splurging when I finally feel like I'm comfortable (money and mentally wise). Which is why I've made some changes to my usual beauty routine and instead have welcomed new brands into my collection. Of course I will still be keeping the old, but I wanted to do a little review on the new products that I've been using recently!

SKINCARE

 I've decided to do the biggest category first...skincare. I've been loving brands like Kiehls, Aesop, and of course Mario Badescu. I first tried Kiehls' eye cream just on a whim because I felt like I needed something to help with my terribly puffy/dark under eyes and fell in LOVE. Seriously, I've never seen a product work so well before. That's why I decided okay...if I liked that product so much, why don't I try out the rest of their products.

I start off my routine by using a makeup wipe (I'm using Burts Bees makeup wipes at the moment) just to clear off as much surface makeup as I can. Then, I use the Kiehls deep cleansing face wash to really get into my pores and clean out all the leftover dirt and oil that has literally been on my skin all day walking in New York City streets. The cleanser foams up (which I love cause if it's not working it's still convincing me otherwise) and then I wash it all off with warm water. Next, I take off my eye makeup with baby oil (this has been my method for literally 5 years since I started using mascara) and then I tone with the matching Kiehls herbal-extract toner. Both of these products also have flowers in them...I was drooling.

Then I love to use the Aesop face moisturizer along with the Kiehls avocado eye cream to feel good and give nutrients back to my skin. I got that baby Kiehls moisturizer for free when I purchased my cleanser and toner, so I've been using that on my face when I get out of the shower just as a secondary moisturizer. Lastly, right before bed, I love using Aesop's roseseed lip moisturizer. It makes me go to bed feeling all kissable and soft. The Mario Badescu products I still love to use include the rose face mist (you guys have heard me talk about that tons) and the zit liquid...yanno...the mini pink bottle where you dab a Q-tip and apply it to your zit and then it's gone the next day. So that is everything I do with my skin! Now let's move on to smellin' good.

FRAGRANCES

My favorite fragrances lately have been Le Labo's Santal 33 & Vanille, Coco Mademoiselle by Chanel, and most recently Replica perfumes by Margiela. You guys have heard me talk a lot about Le Labo (and probably Chanel) so I really wanted to dive into Replica perfumes. I just got a set of 3 to try because I didn't know if I wanted to splurge on a big bottle just yet, but seriously I am in love and cannot wait to save up a bottle of By the Fireplace. It is seriously so good. It smells a little smokey, a little sweet, and very nostalgic (aka 'replicating' a point in time). I love the packaging, the scents, as well as the little story behind each and every one of the perfumes.

HAIRCARE

This is probably the first time in my life where I've actually bought haircare products. I would always wash my hair (every other day), let it air-dry, and that's it. No product, no nothing. And honestly I'd still like to keep it that way, but I do want to start paying attention to giving my hair the nutrients it needs, especially since it's long now and I don't want to have it cut anytime soon (don't yell at me). 

I've heard so many great things about Ouai hair products that I decided to give their oil and dry shampoo a try. I'm in love with both. The oil is so rich (you really don't need a lot), smells great, and seriously feels like a beautiful treatment for your ends every time you apply it. It makes your hair shiny and just lovely. The dry shampoo gets the job done and also smells amazing, almost like a perfume. The only item I haven't tried in this whole blogpost is the Kiehls hair mask, so I can't wait to actually use it on a Sunday and see how I feel about it. I will let you know when I do!

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So that is all :') if you want a link to any of these products just comment below. Also, though this might have sounded like it, this was not sponsored at all. I genuinely love these products and just wanted to share :-) if you have any recommendations, please share away!

Xoxo,

Christie

making your home with homee

Hello friends! So as most of you know I moved to my own apartment in New York City in May, and though it's been great, there are definitely struggles when it comes to decorating! I absolutely treasure having my own space...but, it can be tricky when finding affordable furniture that you actually love and want to use in your home. The lovely team over at Homee reached out to me and asked if I wanted to do a little decorating that was completely my style and wouldn't make me cry while clutching my wallet. Obviously, I could not resist...

Homee is an app that you can download onto your smartphone, and from there, you get matched up with a really nice and helpful designer (I had Adam--sweetest person in the world)! All your designer asks is to see pictures of the space your working with (for me it was mostly my living room and a bit of my actual room) and what your style is. They give you a little survey on the types of styles you love (I got a little of industrial vintage boho) and from there they ask what you're looking for, etc.

The living room is an area I've been struggling with--I didn't pick out that couch, it was basically handed down to me since it was cheap and comfy, and every time I look at it I feel a little uninspired. I definitely want to have a new couch that is more my style for when I move in with my man, but for now it will work! Also it doesn't help that this room doesn't get any light (which is why this picture is a bit grainy). So, for the living room, I told my designer I'd definitely like some prints for the wall, a plant or two, and just some accessories to spice it up and make it more cozy.

As you can see, I got those gorgeous 2 white prints (the other one I got from Urban) to start my collection. Also, spy that fig tree in the right picture. I absolutely love the green it adds to the space, plants can seriously make a difference! Though the print wall is just getting started, I love how it looks already. It just really adds that umpf.

Last but not least, I told Adam that I really wanted a rug for my room. I love getting out of bed and just feeling a nice fabric instead of hard wood, especially when I'm sleepy and grumpy. He completely matched my style with this beautiful fur-inspired shag (not real fur, we wouldn't want that!!!)

I seriously love how chic it is--I'll definitely end up keeping these pieces for my next abode! But for right now, I really have to thank the team over at Homee for making my space really feel more like home, and making my living room a great space rather than an empty one. I still have a blanket + other print coming along, but I am so happy with the pieces I've been able to work with so far. Such a fast, easy, and nice experience.

Link to the App / Link to their site

If you are struggling with decorating your house/apartment, I genuinely recommend Homee cause it is just the perfect little app to get you started! 

Of course I will keep you guys updated on how I'm transforming my space! It definitely takes time and patience, but thank you guys for all your lovely comments about my apartment. It seriously means the world every time I see one, and I feel inspired again!

Xoxo,

Christie

feeling oh so parisian

Hello friends!! So I'm very excited about this post because it's featuring one of my favorite brands, and, since I haven't updated on here in a little bit (I wanted to focus more on Youtube/Fashion Week-ing) I decided to do a makeshift photoshoot in my apartment today. I was feeling very Parisian; fall is in the air, hair tied back in a loose pony, mini dress floating in the wind. I know that might sound a little too sensual, but this is how I truly felt today. I've felt so inspired lately (I think it's the weather finally changing) and my wardrobe is taking a turn toward the more European influenced...

Before I get too ahead of myself, this beautiful wrap dress is from Vida Moulin by Faithfull the brand. This little guy I will link here. Get 15% off by entering the coupon code 'NYCBAMBI' at checkout when you go to www.vidamoulin.com :-)

I wore a silk, blush-toned tank underneath (from H&M) with a gold necklace I made myself and skinny gold bracelet from & Other Stories. Since I was running around the city today for class I just wore with Converse, but ankle-strap heels would look sooooo nice with this dress. Also, I know we're on different platforms, but I will definitely be featuring this dress in my fall lookbook Youtube video (which should be up next week) so keep your eyes peeled for that! I will wear this dress until it is negative degrees outside, thank you very much (but seriously).
Xoxo,Christie