My First Devacut!

So back in June, I decided to finally get a Devacut and go exclusively no-heat, (mostly) curly girl method. I was so sick and tired of my damaged locks, so badly fried by years of blow-drying, straightening, doing some highlights here and there. I had been watching curly girl method videos for over a year before I finally went for it. And boy am I glad I did!!



 I went with The Curl Whisperer salon in South Miami, and could not have been more impressed with the place, the staff, the experience itself. Never had I felt so understood and accepted by a hair sytlist before. They just understood my hair goals (wanted to keep length, add some volume, learn to style it appropriately) and didn't try to change my mind about it or explain why I'm terribly wrong. They listened, educated, and delivered these dreamy results. I'm actually planning to go back soon for a bigger chop, but I wanted to be sure to share these on here before that!




Here's a very quick video I put together using my Instagram stories and some of these photos. It shows you my entire Devacut experience, from the frizzy befores to the glorious afters, and all the products and techniques responsible for getting it there. My stylist was Silvana, owner of The Curl Whisperer salon. Her assistant who washed, conditioned, and dried my hair was Taiz, and she was so freaking awesome. I loved how informative, thorough, and patient she was as I asked a ton of questions, recorded the process, and jotted down notes (you can see my little yellow notepad in the video - lol).

Since my Devacut, I've amassed quite the collection of curly-girl-approved (and some not-approved) hair products. I now own all of the ones I've linked below, except for the Dyson hair dryer. Very hefty price tag, but well worth the investment. My plan is to save up for it and have it by December. Merry Christmas to me! 😊
Clearly I don't blog anymore (so sad, man -- I miss it so much), but I've become something of a curly girl method vlogger on Instagram. Lol. I update my failures and triumphs with my hair on a daily basis, documenting every new discovery as I go. I'm two months into my curly hair journey, and I've never felt so happy with my hair before. It's a huge struggle; I've often found myself organizing my life around my hair. But tbh, I always did that anyway! What I love most is that I-- and the rest of the curly girl and natural hair community-- am learning to love my hair in its natural state, as it grows out of my head, with no heat (even when you diffuse, you diffuse with cool or warm air only). This hair method has been such an important part of my mission to self-love and self-care a little better. I thank the natural hair community, the black women who started this defiant journey of self-acceptance and self-love to begin with. I am honored to join in on this fight against normative beauty standards, because honestly, ALL hair is beautiful, no matter the type, color, or texture. Keeping it healthy and loving it as it is ain't always easy; it is hard work. But I recently heard the following analogy by someone named Marion Carter in one of the curly Facebook groups I'm in:

Think of hair as a fabric. Cheap fabrics are common and are wash to wear. Expensive fabrics need to be well taken care of to look their best, some people only wish to own this luxury.

Couldn't have said it better myself!

Birthday at the Beach

Hi, all! I am so excited to be posting again!! 🌊 🌞 💙 🎉

Yesterday was my birthday and I was able to spend it at the beach! I had the best birthday I've had in years, celebrating all weekend long with my friends and family, good food, and excellent conversation. 

The day was beautiful yesterday-- just take a look at this water! Crystal clear, blue waters against a sunny, cerulean sky. I wore this flounce swim crop top from Victoria's Secret, which I bought last year immediately after seeing it on Raina of The Embellished Closet. It's not available anymore, but I linked a similar one from Target at the end of the post. And of course I paired it with my favorite black high waist bottom, also from VS.  I really like how conservatively sexy this combo is, not to mention comfortable.

  

------------ WHAT I WORE ------------

SWIM: Victoria's Secret (flounce top from last year, no longer available; bottom from 2 years ago, similar mesh detailed bottom here) // SUNNIES: Free People // CHOKER NECKLACE: from a random mall cart; similar evil eye choker here // LIPS: Revlon Colorburst lip butter in Candy Apple (I think it's been discontinued and I'm so upset!)

------------ SHOP SIMILAR ------------

Looking forward to posting more soon! I have several blog posts planned for the next few weeks. :)

Matchy-Matchy with That Wynwood Wall

Can you believe that in my four years of blogging I had never taken outfit pics in front of a Wynwood wall?? Blasphemy! And I call myself a Miami blogger. Pfft.

Island Girl Miami

Hello all!

Today I am ending the year with a bang with this massive post on Island Girl Miami, shot in September but posted in December for the familiar reasons you already know (two jobs, full-time therapist, part-time blogger, yadda yadda yadda).

Artsy in the Design District

Hi, hello! It's almost Christmas but here I am with a post from September. My blogging was so spotty in the second half of this year--I didn't even get to finish my Euro cruise posts. With my new job and a bunch of other (mostly good) stuff that's been happening, I haven't had much time for my favorite hobby. Usually I don't have time to take outfit photos, but now I have the opposite problem with way too many photos that need to be edited for way too many posts that need to be made!

When Castro Died...

We partied in the streets.

  

It's not kind to rejoice in anyone's death but the Cuban exile community had been waiting for Castro's demise or death for almost 60 years. The rest of the world may think of El Che and Fidel Castro as heroic revolutionaries, but we know better. Castro was a tyrant who ruled through oppression and propaganda. He and his cronies, like El Che, executed thousands of innocents by firing squad and jailed countless others simply because they opposed them. Castro took away people's hard-earned businesses and properties, my grandpa, mi viejito lindo, being one of them. He brought sugar and all other production to a standstill, made it difficult for people to find and afford food, and brought a previously economically successful country to depend on foreign aid from the Soviets, and when that didn't pan out, oil from Venezuela. He made it illegal for people to leave the country, forcing millions of people to flee via makeshift rafts. Those who were lucky left while it was still legal or as young children in the "Peter Pan" Operation, in which parents made the desperate decision to send their children to the states alone. My mom was supposed to be one of them but my grandma backed out. Instead they came in one of the "Freedom Flights" of the 60s and 70s but she and my grandpa had to "buy" their way through forced agricultural labor for three years. My dad came in the 80s through the Mariel boatlift, the last time Fidel opened the floodgates for all those "gusanos" (pejorative term meaning "worms" to refer to those who opposed the communist regime) who wanted to leave. The raft phenomenon really exploded in the 90s and continues to this day. So many lives have been lost at sea, including Elian Gonzalez's mother who risked her life to bring her son to this country. Of course, the United States government sided with the communist father and returned the child to Cuba, where he was indoctrinated and made a national symbol and spokesperson for the merits of the regime. His mother's death was in vain. 

Castro was a tyrant who ruled through oppression and propaganda.

  

And what are these so-called merits of the revolution? Well, there's the fabulous health and education systems that Cuba boasts about. The world has swallowed this particular propaganda hook, line, and sinker. You see, supposing that Cuba has an excellent education system that has produced many doctors, nurses, engineers, etc., those doctors are exported to other countries such as Venezuela in exchange for their oil, and they love it because it's one way out. Everyone else who earns a professional degree ends up working in the tourism industry, whether at hotels or as drivers and so on, because there they can earn American dollars, which actually has real purchasing power in Cuba as opposed to their peso. As for the quality of Cuba's healthcare... It's laughable what they claim. The hospitals are often in unsanitary conditions and always in dire need of medication and supplies, which are regularly sent to Cuba as remittances from American family members. 

So as soon as my dad and I learned that Castro had really died this time (he "died" so many times since 2006), we went straight to the unofficial headquarters of the Cuban exile community: Versailles  Restaurant. Never mind that it was 2 am--  the mayor had already asked the police to  close off that section of Calle Ocho so that people could gather. The city apparently had  a "Castro is dead" plan for years, and it  was finally happening. We stayed until 3:30 am, and the next day we went back for more.

Cuban Hipster-- check out that 'stache.

There were several Venezuelans celebrating in solidarity.

Me and Saavedra, a figure known to many in the Cuban exile community here in Miami. He's extremely vocal at Versailles and is often interviewed by the press anytime something happens with Cuba.

Speaking of the press, my dad was interviewed by a Japanese reporter. It was an international reporting event at good ol' Versailles.

Cuba was in official mourning for 9 days, culminating in the burial of Castro's supposed ashes yesterday. There are many videos showcasing the grief and devastation of his commie supporters. But behind those mourning his loss in front of the cameras are people who had to show face at these events or they'd risk outing themselves as opposers, which could lead to trouble with el comité (watchdog type neighborhood groups with eyes and ears everywhere), their workplace, the government. 

Yes we were celebrating Castro's death, but we were also celebrating in hopes of a new Cuba, one that is free to pursue economic, religious, and political freedoms it has been denied for 6 decades. Let's see what happens for my motherland now. Opening up the island to American tourism and business, plus this guy's death-- let's hope Cuba can make a new name for itself beyond the legacy of this communist mafioso who oppressed and murdered his people, reaped in all the benefits (he was reportedly worth $900 million-- talk about a humble communist), and conned the world.

My only regret is that mi viejito lindo and so many others died too early to see this day.

_____________

And hey, thanks for reading. Because this is a style blog... Here are my outfit details.

TOP: Tommy Hilfiger // JEANS: Denim & Supply // BAG: The Sak // AVIATORS: Francesca's Collections // FLATS: Target // LIPS: Sephora lip stain in Always Red 

SAME OR SIMILAR:

Linked up: Weekend Wear

Curly and Curvy: Body Positive at the Beach

New blog design, new outfit post! My first one since the 4th of July.

And it's a long one, because my portrait and event photographer friend Janisel Rosenthal took so. many. great. photos. I really couldn't narrow it down more than this!

We took these photos on a beautiful, hot summer day in June. I had meant to actually style my hair the  night before but got home so late from work that day I had no energy left. So I went to bed with my hair soaking wet and this was the result the next day. Yay for good hair days!

This is probably one of my all-time favorite shoots that I've done because I just felt really comfortable, really in my element with my curly hair and sexy yet modest bathing suit combo. Janisel got plenty of natural shots as I walked or played with the water, so you will see some belly rolls popping out of my favorite high waisted bottom (see below). 

When I got the pictures back I felt really grateful for the curls in my hair and the curves on my body-- the same curls that I wanted to tame in middle school, the curves that I longed for in high school. To some, I may be "overweight" or a little "ethnic" looking (gasp!), but to me, in these photos and in this moment, I am 100% body positive. And that is a damn good feeling. 

❤️

Mother's Day at Vizcaya

Dress: French Connection via Consign of the Times // Cardigan: Target // Shoes: Melissa Shoes // Bag: Francesca's Collections // Sunglasses: & Apparel // Bracelets: Candles and Confetti // Earrings: c/o Benevolent Jewels // Lipstick: Revlon

Happy Mother's Day!

Yesterday my mom and I went to Vizcaya for their "Orchids for Moms" event. For my out of town readers who may not know, Vizcaya is the magical, grand Venetian estate that belonged to James Deering of International Harvester. This is where he spent the winter months and lavishly entertained guests from all over. The mansion sits on prime Coconut Grove real estate and overlooks Biscayne Bay. It is one of old Miami's greatest wonders-- hell, possibly the most beautiful place in Miami, period. I hadn't been to Vizcaya since I took my 15's pictures back in 2005-- and actually, my mom and I bumped into the photographer in the cafeteria! He remembered us and was such a sweetheart, even took a selfie with us.  Lol

Casual Bike Riding Around Town

*This post originally went up on Thursday, 3/31/16. I reverted it to a draft and reposted it on 4/2/16. This specific bag is now sold out, and the Converse are now 9% as opposed to 25% off (who does that??). I apologize for any confusion. Also, two comments you guys had left me disappeared. Oops.

Oh hi there! Today is all about my bike and bag. And my hair. Lots and lots of hair in this one.

Top: Forever 21 // Shorts: Lucky Brand // Shoes: Converse // Bag: c/o Shopbop // Sunglasses: Free People // Bracelets: Lucky Brand, eBay, Punta Cana beach vendor // Necklace: gift from my grandma, years ago!

 

Splendid Crossbody Bag // $20 Sunnies // Converse 25% off

IN THIS POST:
 

Splendid Crossbody Bag // $20 Sunnies // Converse

My Cute Bike, the Momentum Park in Orange

So I don't actually look this cute and coordinated when I go bike riding. I usually wear black workout pants, my trusty old Nikes, and my old college t-shirts. Yep, I rock those "Canes" and "Greek Life" proudly (even though I was in a sorority for just one semester!). But I'd been wanting to put something cute together for a blog post, so when I got this striped bag from Shopbop in the mail this week I figured it was perfect timing. I ordered the bag using the gift certificate money Shopbop provided me with as a new partner. I got it primarily for my upcoming Mediterranean cruise (the red and white stripes seemed very appropriate for Venice!). And hey, it's now half off. 

As for my hair... I haven't worn this half up thing since at least middle school. My friends and I used to call it "half and half." We had a stage in 6th grade I think it was that we would coordinate our hairstyles, like Mean Girls (except we were really just nerds). We didn't know what to call this popular 'do so we just named it "half and half." That is what this hairstyle reminds me of. Ariana Grande brought it back some time ago, and now I'm wearing it too because it's a very easy and flattering style on my hair type. 

So that was a lot of pictures and words. If you made it this far, I thank you!

I plan on doing some more bike posts soon, including a proper review on the bike itself. So stay tuned. :)

Linked up: Weekend Wear // How I Spring // Hello Monday

Bonus pics: Some shots from my bike ride.

Back part of Venetian pool

The Biltmore Hotel

The prettiest Church in Miami, imo: The Coral Gables Congregational Church