my school bag

Hi guys! As you might have seen on my Tumblr and Instagram yesterday, I have a new beautiful vintage bag that I really wanted to share more of with you guys today. It will be my new school bag--aka the bag I keep all my pencils and notebooks and crumbled notes. I am sooo happy with it and the quality as well as the look of it just makes it an overall gem.

There's me on the first day of classes trying to look sophisticated and match this gorgeous bag. It is by a UK brand called Beara Beara and they have so many beautiful options and different styles. I would so highly recommend--check out their site here and Instagram here! (I highly recommend looking at their Instagram because it is so inspiring)

I also definitely want to try and do a 'What's in my School Bag' type of video over on my channel soon--hopefully when the first week of classes dies down and I will feel focused and not so scatter-brained. Is it just me or do you need to like find the brain power to get yourself back into school mode. It is such a struggle. Anyway, I really hope you enjoyed this post and that you love this bag as much as I do. Let me know your thoughts! 
Xoxo,Christie

my winter skincare

It is safe to say that winter takes a toll on our bodies--dry skin, brittle and static-y hair, dehydration, an urge to stay in bed for 30 more hours. That is why I am so excited to share with you guys the new winter skincare routine I have developed that keeps my skin so clean yet hydrated and moisturized, thanks to L'Occitane. I have always struggled with keeping my skin okay during these bitter months, especially with walking in the cold so much in New York City, but now I can safely say I have developed a routine that works for me, yet that is simple and doesn't contain ten elaborate steps or anything like that.

First off, my number one priority is to take off my makeup and grime from the day with a nice cleanser. I seriously can't tell you enough about the Shea Foaming Cleanser (pictured above in the sleek white tube). I never found a cleanser that truly felt like it was really working and taking my surface dirt off--I love this one because of how clean it makes me feel afterwards. I don't have to use yet another cleanser after it, which I have found myself doing before I switched over to this one. Basically, it is a cleanser with a creamy texture that turns into foam when you get it wet. It is so, so amazing. And smells so fresh!

Next is a product that was a bit different for me but I fell in love with it from the start. I've been beginning to think that just because we are young, doesn't mean we can't start taking care of our skin and getting prepared for aging. I know, even that word (aging) alone is weird. But, including the Divine Youth Oil in my morning routine has made me feel so lovely and nourished, and like I am doing something very right for my future skin. It comes in that beautiful yellow, glowing bottle with a little dropper.
Also, I love the feeling of the oil against my skin in the morning, it makes me look radiant yet not oily. It is so moisturizing and sinks into skin and makes it feel revitalized again. Fun fact--the main ingrediant in this product is actually from the Immortelle flower, a flower found off the coast of Corsica that never fades, even after it's been picked. Flowers on my face, yes please.

Last but definitely not least and perhaps the most important step, the Shea Butter Light Comforting Cream. Honestly, it is all in the name--it feels so light yet it truly moisturizes deep and leaves you beautifully hydrated. This cream has 5% Shea Butter and has a non-greasy texture that protects and helps skin stay hydrated. I apply this before I go to bed and once I wake up to keep my skin as on point as it can be.

In addition, though it is not face-care, I've been using the L'Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream just to keep my hands nourished as well. I love the silver, flexible tube and just the overall consistency of the cream. It truly works wonders, like the whole Shea Collection does. 

That is my power winter routine and again, only three steps! I was so wonderfully surprised at how little of amount of effort it took to stay so hydrated and glowing throughout this season, all thanks to L'Occitane. Check out their site here and Instagram here! I am such a huge fan.

Thanks so much for reading and I truly hope you guys found useful products for keeping hydrated for your own winter skincare routine! Let me know if you have any L'Occitane favorites or if you plan on trying some! 

Xoxo,

Christie

what's in my bag

Hi guys! I haven't done a blogpost like this in a while and I think it is time for an update on what I usually carry around with me in my bag. Also, I realized I haven't shown my Chloé on this blog yet, so I thought this would be the perfect post for that...though, I can only bring 3 things with me in it because of it's mini size. So normally, to fit all the items I'm going to show, I would take a bigger bag like my All Saints one or my Free People vegan tote. Just to keep that in mind!

Okay so the key things I make sure to always take with me are...
Saint Laurent card holder: This obviously is my wallet that holds all my cards, my metro card, and ID. I just got this for Christmas from my parents because I just wanted something really sleek, simple, and adult like that could fit into any purse and I can just throw in on the go. I am done with big, chunky wallets that have my coins everywhere and crumpled receipts from 345 b.c.
Lip Moisturizer: Okay, now normally I am not one to splurge on such an expensive lip moisturizer (before I used the Mario Badescu rose tube, which works wonders too) but I couldn't resist buying the Chanel Hydra Beauty lip balm (pictured above in the circular jar) because it was on sale and have wanted to try it for forever. I also don't regret it because it is soooo hydrating and lovely. So that has become a staple in my bag for sure!
Hand Cream: Especially now with winter being so brisk, I need a hand cream when I'm on the go. I've been using the L'Occitane Amande 'Mains A Croquer' cream. It smells really nice and keeps my skin so hydrated.

Then, the optional things I take with me if I have a larger bag...

Chanel Mineral Powder: Just in case I'm going to an event or I'll be out for a long time, I love taking this powder with me for touch ups in case I get oily or if my skin just starts looking drab. The specific powder I take with me is 'poudre universelle compacte' in the shade translucent 2. 

Lip Tint: Again, I love taking a lipstick/lip tint with me if I know I'm going to be needing a touch up later. I just purchased the Generation G lip tint in Cake from Glossier and I already know it will be my on-the-go lip tint.

Sunglasses: Of course, an essential, especially if it's a sunny day. I usually go with my rounded Ray Bans because they're simple and one of my forever favorites.

Perfume: Little samples or a mini bottle (like above) is perfect for my bag, especially if I'm going out or just want to constantly keep smellin' nice. My favorite scent is Santal by Le Labo.

Sometimes I'll take headphones, business cards, and my camera with me too, but only for extra special occasions. Oh, and hand sanitizer and gum/mints.

And that's it! I really hope this was helpful or just an interesting post to read in case you were curious. Honestly, I don't carry that much with me. Sometimes I see beauty bloggers doing this and they have so many items! So I'm sorry if this wasn't that exciting. But anyway, hope you have a beautiful Friday and I will be back here with another post soon! Stay tuned for my night routine featuring L'Occitane...oh la la!
Xoxo,Christie

q&a

Hi guys! So I asked you on Twitter/Instagram to send me in some questions that I could answer in a q&a video. And literally I filmed that video yesterday 3 times (or tried to) and for some reason it just was not working for me! I think I am in a video rut. And I am so sorry because I know you guys love Youtube videos but, it is the new year, and I've decided I don't want to put up content just because I have to. I want it to feel free, organic, and something I'm proud of. So instead I decided to take your beautiful questions to this blog and answer them here ♡

paranoid678 on Twitter asked...
"What is the most important thing that makes your relationship a happy relationship?"                                                                       
I love this question! I think that support is unbelievably important. Adam always, always supports me in everything that I do. He's always the first one to like my photos or leave a sweet comment, always helping me with my business emails or even taking photos for me when I can't find a friend/photographer and I'm in a rush. He is always so happy and proud for me, and of course I would do the same for him. No matter what he decides to do with his future, I'll be right there, holding his hand, and he'll be holding mine. 

jessxscarlett on Twitter asked...
"What are some of your favorite coffee shops in NY?"                                                                                                                             
My favorites include Ost Cafe, Stumptown Coffee Roasters in the West Village, Toby's Estate in the West Village, and Epistrophy in Soho (even though that is more of a lunch/brunch spot, you can still get a really nice latte).

le_nemophilist on Twitter asked...
"What first inspired you to start a blog/Youtube channel?"                                                                                                                                       
I actually didn't start my blog thinking 'okay, I want to be a fashion blogger'...it sort of happened by accident! I loved Tumblr (still do obviously) and I got majorly influenced by the pictures I saw and reblogged and I thought, why don't I try taking my own photos? So I started a side blog just so I could have a little diary of all the photos I took. Then, people started seeing it and asking me questions about my room/styling/etc. and I thought "omg this is so fun". I started posting more and more, people asked more questions, and it just rolled from there. Then I started working with brands. And I realized 'this is my dream job'. Then Youtube came with the blogging because my followers really wanted to see videos so I was like 'okay why not' and that's when I started on Youtube!

kate_danielson on Twitter asked...
"What's the best piece of advice you've ever received? Your positivity is so inspiring!"                                                                                     
Thank you so much :') I wasn't always so positive though. Like I've sort of said before, like in my Youtube videos and other advice questions, I used to be really sad and sort of went through a hard time in middle school/high school, way earlier than people usually do. My dad told me "positivity attracts positivity, and negativity attracts negativity." It isn't until now, that I truly took his advice, that I truly understand what that meant...and it is so true! It's like when you're having a bad day and you're angry at the world...that's when little things start happening that piss you off even more. It is because of that negative energy that is attracting those annoying, bad things to happen. But when you're positive, you'll be surprised at how many good little things happen. It is all about changing your mindset and attracting those things that you want with a good, natural light. That is the best advice I've ever received.

hxllyelizxbxth on Twitter asked...
"What is your favorite book/film and why?"                                                                                                                                                                   
I'm going to go with film because I haven't been able to read many books lately :"( too much going on. But I just saw La La Land and hands down it is the best film I have ever seen. It is so beautiful guys you must see it. The music, Emma Stone & Ryan Gosling, the story, the filming of it...all of it is so wonderful. It is about dreamers and romantics and I have always been both of those things so everything in that movie just pulled on a heart string in the best way possible.

christiescx on Twitter asked...
"Where do you want to travel to?"                                                                                                                                                                                    
There are so, so many places. I still haven't got to Europe and I must do it soon. I really want to go to Paris, Italy, London, Amsterdam, Berlin, Stockholm. Paris is my #1, of course.

heathershabitat on Twitter asked...
"What advice would you give to turn fashion blogging/Pinterest/Instagram into a career?"                                                                            
I would say make a business email. Reach out to companies. Take every opportunity you can, even if it is not paid. Develop a style and aesthetic that is simply you. Be super kind. Experiment, grow, and stay super, super dedicated.

mrtosaj on Twitter asked...
"Can you name your top 5 artists/musicians/bands that you really like?"                                                                                                               
Gregory Alan Isakov, Bon Iver, The Lumineers, The 1975, and Keaton Henson.

goldishteen on Instagram asked...
"Who are your fashion icons? What would you do if you weren't a blogger? What are you studying?"                                                          
I really admire Alexa Chung. She is so beautiful and stylish. Lily Rose Depp, Camille Rowe, Jane Birkin, Jeanne Damas, all the French gals I follow on Instagram. If I wasn't a blogger I would definitely still be studying fashion and doing what I do now, but I guess I would do social media or styling for another company. Or I would work for another blogger. And I am studying marketing!

g.aangela on Instagram asked...
"How do you edit your pictures?"                                                                                                                                                                                     
I use Vsco Cam & After Light!

That's it my friends! Thank you so much for those who asked questions, I'm sorry I couldn't do them all, I just wanted to keep it short and sweet but answer the questions that you guys really wanted to know answers to. Let me know if you liked this format, I would totally do this again! And, I'm sorry about my Youtube funk, hopefully it will be over quickly and I should have a video up soon! Hope you all have a great day.

Xoxo,
Christie