A new month, a fresh start.

Hello dolls! Long time no talk. Well today is October 1st, which marks the beginning of a new month,and a new season. This provides an opportunity for a fresh start. September flew by and I was more busy than ever! This month I want to focus on enjoying each day and staying healthy despite the workload. I find that it is easy to get wrapped up in your daily activities, work, school or whatever it may be, and can sometimes hinder you from creating time for relaxation, peace of mind and taking care of your body. Time management is a skill that I am constantly working on and I'm sure if you are reading this, you are most working on that as well! If you keep a journal perhaps you can make a list of goals to set for yourself this month. Here are some of mine:

1. Make mornings the most productive part of my day
2. Make an earlier bedtime and stick to it
3. Wake up earlier
4. Do yoga everyday, even if it's only for a short amount of time
5. Take time to reflect each day
6. Stay active and work out at least four times a week
7. Spend time with the ones I love, call those who are far in distance, and be there for them
8. Laugh more
9. Eat to nourishing foods
10. Work on myself everyday

Make a list of your own and put it somewhere where you will see it every day! Be your own motivation. I hope this month brings inspiration, joy and productivity to you! Happy October!

xx,
Leila Zo

Stress-Free Birthday Fun!

This past weekend marked my twentieth birthday and instead of planning a dinner reservation for fifteen - I had a small, intimate birthday celebration with some of my closest friends.

The perks?

1. I realized that a small group aloud me to be with the people I love and share one conversation with at the table in a much more quieter and meaningful environment. 

2. There is no need for waiting on a table or reservations! 

3. You can take one car or taxi and be spontaneous in your plans with a smaller, more portable group! 

4. There are less people to please, which makes the night go smoother and allows you to appreciate each friend and takes the stress off your shoulders 

5. There is nothing better than being with your closest friend because you will enjoy yourself no matter what you do!

Ideas?

1. Get ready together - It makes everything more fun and there is no waiting on each other involved! 

2. Share clothing - What better way to get a new outfit? There is no cost and your closet just tripled the size! 

3. Listen to your favorite tracks - Music is always a good idea and it gets everyone in a brighter mood! 

4. Share your talents - If one friend is a hair guru, another a makeup genius, and the other is a fashionista, collaborate your talents and help primp each other up! You'll all look flawless with your killer glam squad 

5. Share a glass of wine or champagne - Nothing means celebration more than champagne! And who doesn't love wine? 

6. Go out and let the night be yours.

Valentine's Day Ready

Love it or hate it, today is the day of excessive hearts, candy, chocolate, wine and flowers... but why not celebrate it? I don't have anyone special to celebrate today with this year, but a bunch of girlfriends and I are not letting that stop us from fully enjoying this lovely day. Here are just some ideas and tips for having your best Valentine's day yet, while feeling like a bombshell.

1. Set the mood by playing a V-day play list on spotify

2. Pick out a pair of your favorite heels, they make everything more fun and who doesn't want to feel sexy!

3. Put on your laciest, most expensive piece of lingerie. This will boost your spirits knowing you look to kill underneath it all.

4. Match your heels with a fun and flirty dress - don't let the weather determine what you wear, that's what coats are for!

5. Treat yourself to a mani-pedi, this day calls for pampering.

6. If you haven't seen the sun in a while, get a light spray tan or use a self-tanner or shimmer lotion to achieve the ultimate dewey glow.

7. Try a new up-do or let your locks
down with some soft wavy curls to add volume.

8. Go for subtle yet wowing makeup to pull your look together. Heavy lashes, soft blush an
d lips!

9. Call your girlfriends over for some wine before hitting the town or going to a movie

10. Have fun, your beautiful and this day is just another excuse to dress to the 9s and celebrate! Who doesn't love love?

Your Beauty Bible

For all you beauty product lovers, I highly recommend the book Passport to Beauty: Secrets and Tips From Around the World for Becoming a Global Goddess by Shalini Vadhera. It is perfect for an at home spa day, or just everyday beauty secrets that make a huge difference. I am a huge fan of this book because it has different beauty tips from around the world and the ingredients are natural. I try to avoid chemical filled products as much as possible. I have had this book since I was fifteen and I still love it. I found it browsing at a local bookstore but it is available online! One of my favorite recipes from this book is a quick and easy face scrub made from olive oil and raw sugar. It exfoliates your skin and leaves you with a fresh glow. This takes about 2 minutes to make and you can even make a big enough batch to exfoliate your entire body in the shower, leaving you with baby-soft skin. Nothing feels better than smooth, soft and glowing skin!

Product Favorite

If there is one product I could not live without it would be Origins VitaZing. This wonder-worker provides so many benefits in just one small 50 ml tube. It is a moisturizer that has SPF, energy boosting antioxidants, and a sheer tint that gives a perfect dewy glow every time. A girl friend turned me on to this product almost a year ago and I have used it every day since. If I am in a rush and don't have time to do anything, this is a life saver. A small dab goes a long way and my skin feels instantly rejuvenated and glowing. I wear it by itself in the day but it also serves as the perfect foundation to a face of makeup, and prevents a caked face look. Before I'm going out, I apply a thin layer to my whole face and let it settle in for a few minutes. Then I can blend in some concealer under my eyes if needed and apply a small amount of powder with a brush to make it look less oily and more tinted. Bronzer as a highlighter works magically with this moisturizer and masters the fresh-faced, youthful glow. I am obsessed to say the least.

Origins VitaZing

A Must-Have #1

Every girl should have a few staple items in their closet, the basics that can tie an outfit together and the necessities for various occasions. The first must-have on the list is a pair of black pumps. Pumps can be paired with a cocktail dress, a formal dress, a casual dress, a skirt, skinnies, a suit---well you get the idea---they are very versatile as they can be dressed up or down, making them easy to wear... and black simply goes with nearly everything. I love shoes and I love heels. They are simple and timeless, you just can't go wrong! I always go for a 4.5 inch heel with platforms because I love to feel tall, and adding a few extra inches to your legs never hurts! My dream would be to own a pair of Louboutins but for now I have a black suede pair by Zigi Sohos that get the job done.

A Girl Can Dream

Whether you are working a job you don't really love, a student who has no idea what direction in life they want to go in, or someone who is simply overwhelmed with the vast opportunities and responsibilities life has to offer, you are not alone. As a college student I often get caught up in the daily tasks and routines of life that I find myself losing touch with the things I love, my childhood dreams, and what really matters. What is the point in living a life that you don't find interesting or appreciate? I think that no matter what you are doing, it is important to have a place in your life for the people you love and what makes you happy. I decided to make a blog to create a space for the little things that I love and find joy in. This is just a place to share my love of fashion, aspirations and dreams, yummy food, beauty products and anything else that seems worthy of a post! Welcome to my girl world. 

xx, 

LeilaZo