Saturday, December 2, 2017

One More Light

Who cares if one more light goes out? Well, I do.


Today's post is a little bit different from what I usually write about, but this topic has been on my mind for a while now. As some of you might already know, a few months ago Chester Bennington of Linkin Park committed suicide. I grew up listening to Linkin Park and played their music religiously, so when I heard the news I was in complete shock. I know its common to hear the passing of a celebrity however, his death has left a huge impact on me. Not a day has gone by since his passing that I haven't thought about him, which at first felt really strange to me. Now I believe the reason why his story touched me is because of the fact that I've had some people close to me try to commit suicide. Growing up I didn't really have a lot of friends and I cannot be thankful enough for the amazing friends I have now. Just the thought of possibly losing them made me an emotional wreck, and me not knowing what to do about the situation just made me feel that much worse. If I were to lose them my life would be completely different right now. The saddest part about the whole thing is that depression really has no face. Someone can appear to be happy on the outside, but can be beating themselves up inside. This is why I can't stress enough how important it is to check up on even your "strongest" friends, because at the end of the day you really have no idea what they are going through. How do I know? Because I'm one of them.

For years I've been stuck in a battle with myself and I'm still not sure what to do, or how to handle it 'til this day. Whenever I open up to my friends about how I feel or what I've been through, most of their responses are usually "wow, I had no idea." I've always had a big heart and want the best for people. That being said, I am always trying to encourage my friends to follow their dreams and stay positive, when in reality, I struggle with that myself. Although I've been told I have very positive aura, I still find myself feeling down every now and then without any particular reason.


After doing so much research and trying to figure out what the hell is going on with me, I believe that I might be suffering from moderate depression. So far all the signs have been pointing to yes. The thing is, "might" is not good enough. The word depressed gets thrown around like nothing and I do not want to self-diagnose myself. I want answers, but I'm not sure how to even explain the way I'm feeling. My breakdowns have always been so random and while the uncontrollable tears roll down my face, I search for answers why and constantly fail to find an explanation. I've never bothered telling people about these breakdowns because I don't want anyone to feel the need to pity me. I always felt that if I told somebody I was feeling down, but didn't know the reason why then they'd think I'm just looking for attention - and if anyone truly knows me, then they'd know the last thing I want from anyone is attention. I don't have enough fingers to count the times I've pretended to be asleep and silently cried in my room to avoid my parents from asking me what's wrong. All these years have gone by and they still don't have a single clue. 

So what is the point of me sharing all of this on the internet? Well, writing is the best way for me to express myself at the moment. With this post, I'm hoping to touch someone who might be going through a similar situation. You are not alone and you will never be alone. I've created the habit of bottling up all of my emotions until I reach my breaking point and I'm asking you to not be like me. Depression is not a joke. Mental illness is very much real. Self care is so important and like any other significant change you want to make in your life, it needs to come from within. Don't be afraid to speak up.



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xo, Lisette

Saturday, November 25, 2017

Facing Your Fashion Fears

It's okay to step out of your comfort zone!


If you know me, then you probably already know that I am quite the minimalist. My entire wardrobe is made up of primarily black, white, and grey, with a few pops of colors every here and there. I always assumed that I preferred the more neutral colors because of the fact that I am pretty reserved and like to look cute without having to draw much attention to myself. However, due to social media and seeing all the bold colors hitting the runway during Fashion Week, I've been wanting to add a bit more pizzazz to my everyday looks.

How can I challenge my fashion fears?

As generic as it sounds, just go for it! If you think about it too much, you might end up completely changing your mind. Get rid of the thought that maybe things just "don't look right on you." (I'm guilty of doing this myself, so I know how it feels.) Remember, if you can put it on, then you can pull it off!

With this look, I decided to keep things fairly simple. One thing I love about Fall is being able to layer and play around with different textures. Being the minimalist that I am, I did not want to give myself a heart attack by throwing on every crazy item I own all at once. However, this vintage metallic lace skirt that I thrifted a while back has been sitting in my closet way too long, and I thought it was about time to let this gem out! While this piece is a lot bolder than what I would normally go for, I still felt confident in it and even got a few compliments, which is always a plus.

Long story short, don't let any fashion trends scare you. Do you want to wear that ruffled blouse you've had hanging in your closet for the longest? Go right ahead! Want to blind people with your highlight AND your metallic skirt? I won't stop you. Companies like Dia&Co. have Try-Day Fridays allowing their employees to step out of their comfort zones and try something new. YouTuber Safiya Nygaard has a whole series dedicated to trying out new/weird things for a week. It's always good to experiment a bit. You never know, you just might enjoy it.


What is the most unorthodox piece hanging in your closet? Let me know in the comments below!

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xo, Lisette

Wednesday, November 8, 2017

Holiday Style Hacks

Hello, November!

Yup, it's that time of the year again! October flew by and now the holidays are right around the corner. I absolutely love the holidays however, it is also one of the most stressful times of the year for me. Being a full-time student and preparing for finals, while also being a product development intern at a shoe company, it has been tough trying to find additional time to hang out with loved ones or go shopping. Although I might not be able to do any shopping for you, I can help you out with these quick holiday style hacks.

1. Use double-sided tape.


Honestly, the creation of double-sided tape has blessed me on so many different occasions. I've been using ShowStoppers' double-sided tape to prevent any unwanted wardrobe malfunctions such as keeping a revealing dress in place and concealing bra straps. What I love about this product is that it comes in a small, sleek package that is perfect for the average person on the go. I've also noticed that the tape lasts pretty long. I have used it to keep one of my favorite cowl neck tops in place and my knee highs from running down and was amazed to see that the tape lasted all day, even throughout humidity. Want to try ShowStoppers for yourself? You can use the code LISETTE2 for $2 off, valid through November 20, 2017!


2. Hairspray can be used for things other than just your hair!
Nothing is worse than planning to wear a cute skirt or dress with stockings, only to find out that your tights have been snagged or ripped. Here in New York, it gets extremely cold during the holiday seasons and although I love to show some leg, I don't want to freeze to death while doing it. Runs on stockings might be great for achieving the whole grunge/punk rock look, but you can actually prevent them from happening by spraying hairspray on your tights both before wearing and storing them away.

3. Don't be afraid to break out your heels!

I know a lot of people dread having to dress up because in many cases it means to wear heels. As someone who owns a lot of shows, I know that heels aren't always the most comfortable to wear. However, you shouldn't let that discourage you! I'm sure many of you already know about the Band-Aid trick to keep your shoes from rubbing and peeling your skin, but what happens if you don't have any easily accessible? It turns out that applying some lip balm on the back of your heels also helps to prevent blisters. For this hack, I highly recommend using a lip balm with a thick and waxy formula such as Burt's Bees. Anything with shimmer would just increase irritation.

What holiday hacks are you going to try out this year? Do you have any hacks of your own? Feel free to leave them in the comments below!

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xo, Lisette

Monday, November 6, 2017

Next Stop: Louis Vuitton

Get in loser, we're going to Paris.

One thing I love about living in NYC is that there is always something to do. Me being the creative that I am, I'm constantly on the lookout for cool exhibits or pop-up shops to visit during my free time. I recently found out about the Louis Vuitton "Volez, Vougez, Voyagez" exhibition here in New York and knew that I had to pay it a visit ASAP! I went on a Friday evening and surprisingly it wasn't as busy as I had expected it to be. The best part? It's free! Although you are welcome to purchase a perfume, notebook, or other goodies from the gift shop, it is not mandatory.


Aside from learning the history behind the Louis Vuitton brand itself, there were many vintage and iconic pieces placed in each room of the exhibit. From limited edition collections to dresses worn by some of your favorite stars, everything is there right before your eyes. 


Not to mention that everything just happens to be aesthetically pleasing, making for the perfect photo opps!



The Louis Vuitton "Volez, Vougez, Voyagez" exhibit is open up until January 7th. If you're in the area or plan on visiting NYC during the holidays, I definitely suggest checking it out!

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xo, Lisette

Sunday, October 1, 2017

Top 5 Wardrobe Essentials for Fall 2017

Hello October, I've been waiting for you.. ;)

Photo taken by Henry Rodgers.

At last, my favorite season is here! As much as I love the Summer, I prefer Fall just a little bit more because I feel like it allows more room to play with wardrobe options. You're able to layer as much or as little as you want, without having to sweat bullets every time you go outside. I'm also just a big fan of Fall and the colors that come along with it. Neutral and Earth tones such as beige, wine, and black compliment just about every skin tone. 

Here it is, my top 5 Wardrobe Essentials for Fall:



1. BOOTS
Black Faux Leather Pointed Toe Boots (On Sale - $33: http://bit.ly/2hFWopu)
Flat Over The Knee Boots ($67: http://bit.ly/2wtqEpY)



2. SWEATERS & CARDIGANS
Longline Cardigan ($15: http://bit.ly/2yR2siQ)
Striped Sweater ($23: http://bit.ly/2ws5Vmu)
Caged Back Sweater ($48: http://bit.ly/2wstawS)
Off-Shoulder Sweater ($40: http://bit.ly/2yR4oYQ)



 3. JACKETS
Hooded Utility Parka ($30: http://bit.ly/2yR7DiM)
Studded Faux Leather Jacket ($43: http://bit.ly/2yQeUPT)
Color Block Padded Jacket ($30: http://bit.ly/2yQCbkV)


4. STATEMENT BLOUSES
Velvet Floral Top ($18: http://bit.ly/2yRIAwb)
Open Shoulder Blouse ($35: http://bit.ly/2wrLV3t)
Sheer Ruffle Top ($35: http://bit.ly/2yR1dQQ)
Gingham Shirt ($23: http://bit.ly/2yRuYkr)


5. BOTTOMS
Satin Joggers  ($18: http://bit.ly/2yPzC2B)
High Waist Jeans ($20: http://bit.ly/2yQjI87)
Wide Leg Trousers ($40: http://bit.ly/2ySoCSa)
Vinyl Skirt ($35: http://bit.ly/2wrfRN1)

Now you don't have to go out and purchase everything on this list, although I just might. I wanted to incorporate some of the trends I've seen both on social media and on the runway to create a list of affordable and wearable pieces. Which items are your favorite? Let me know in the comments below!

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xo, Lisette

Tuesday, September 19, 2017

Getting Peachy

Apricot or Peach emoji? You decide.


What I'm Wearing:
No Doubt Tee - Hot Topic
Skate Shoes - Vans

A few weeks ago, I took a little trip to the St. Ive's Mixing bar in NYC located at 577 Broadway. Was the trip planned? Nope. If you're a New Yorker, then you probably make plans to go out with your friends without any real kind of plan. While roaming the city with my friends, I instantly recognized the St. Ive's storefront as I have been seeing it all over social media. Originally, the pop-up was only supposed to open for six weeks during the Summer. However, due to popular demand, they extended their stay here in NYC until September 30th.

Would you recommend visiting the St. Ive's mixing bar?

Absolutely! The store provides a very fresh and airy atmosphere. Not to mention, it makes for a great photo op! Aside from the bright colors painted on the wall, along with the fresh ingredients located on the shelves throughout the store, they also have a photo booth (where I clearly had a bit too much fun in)! In the photo booth room you're encouraged to make your own gif, or to just interact with the apricot props scattered all around. 

Since I got to the store pretty close to closing time, I did not get to mix up my own skincare products. If my schedule allows me to, I'd definitely stop by again and pick one up before they leave for good. Interested in visiting yourself? Here are some of the mixes they offer:

Photo taken from the St. Ive's website

Which mix are you most excited about, the face scrubs or the body lotions? Let me know in the comments below!

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xo, Lisette

Wednesday, September 6, 2017

Shower Hacks - How To Stay Fresh on a Budget

Sponsored Post: This post is sponsored by Suave however, all content and opinions expressed here are my own.

As the seasons change, there is one thing that seems to remain the same: my love for long, relaxing showers. Taking a shower is typically my favorite part of the day. It allows me to unwind, plan out what I'm going to do the next day, and sometimes even pretend I'm performing at Madison Square Garden (I mean a girl can dream, right?)


From swapping regular curtain rings for decorative rope to applying clear nail polish to the rims of all my metal products to prevent rust, I think it's safe to say I've just about mastered Shower Hacks 101. Since I spend so much time in the shower, I enjoy experimenting with new products from time to time. During my most recent trip to Duane Reade, I came across the new body washes from Suave Essentials. I've seen so much buzz about these washes all over the internet and decided to give them a shot to see what they're all about. As a college student, I am always looking for a good deal. Therefore, when I saw that each 18oz bottle was only $2 I just had to stock up on some! Suave offers such a great assortment of fragrances that are suitable for any occasion. Whether if you're freshening up after the gym, preparing for a date, or just feel like pampering yourself, you're bound to find a scent you love.


 After taking the Suave Body Wash Quiz, they paired me with the "Almond Verbana" scent, which ironically happened to be my favorite scent out of the three bottles I purchased. Aside from them all smelling amazing, they also do a great job of cleaning and hydrating your skin.


Torn on which Suave Body Wash is right for you? Take the Suave quiz here to #FindYourScent! You'll even get a cash back offer after completion!

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xo, Lisette

Wednesday, April 5, 2017

Warby Parker's Haskell-Flash Collection

Say hello to Haskell-Flash!


Just in time for Spring/Summer '17, Warby Parker launched Haskell-Flash, their latest sunglasses collection. This collection is a fun new take on their original Haskell frames with six new options, for both men and women, of flash lenses ranging from silver to mirrored violet (which is my personal favorite). 


Whether if you're hanging out by the poolside, hitting up a music festival, or even just cruising around town, the Haskell-Flash shades are versatile enough to wear pretty much anywhere! Wondering what to pair with your new shades? Have no fear, I've got you covered! Here are some ways I'd style the new Haskell-Flash sunnies:

Which Haskell hue will you be rocking this Summer? Let me know in the comments below!

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xo, Lisette
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