March Favorites

Although we're only a couple of weeks into March, this month has brought me so many good products that I couldn't help but share. Thanks to lots of retail therapy and the fact that I finally have more than $20 in my bank account, here are some of my favorite products this month so far.

Bralettes: the cutest and most feminine way to accessorize. These two are some of my absolute favorites, I picked them up this month at Urban Outfitters and Free People. You can shop these looks here and here! 

Anastasia Beverly Hills Modern Renaissance Palette

Anastasia Beverly Hills x Nicole Guerriero Glow Kit

I spend a ton of time and money on makeup and am somehow still not good at it, but it makes me feel better about myself, so what the hell.

I had my eye on these two products for quite some time, so I decided to splurge and pick them up and I am so, so, so glad that I did. 

You can pick these beauties up here and here.

Anyone who knows me knows that I am a sucker for lipstick. I'd say that the majority of my money in life goes towards new lip products. I used to only purchase darker shades, but I came to the unfortunate realization that nude tones are a bit more practical for every day wear. Here are my top favorites:

Wet and Wild Liquid Catsuit Lipstick in Nudie Patootie

NYX Lingerie Liquid Lipstick in Baby Doll

Too Faced Melted Lipstick in Melted Chihuahua

Sephora Cream Lip Stain in Marvelous Mauve

Lime Crime Matte Velvetine Lipstick in Cashmere

Jeffree Star Cosmetics Liquid Lipstick in Sagittarius

Gerard Cosmetics Hydra-Matte Liquid Lipstick in Iced Mocha

I have been so into skincare lately, and these items have been my holy grail products. 

e.l.f Cosmetics Illuminating Eye Cream

Sephora Collection Green Tea Face Mask

Sephora Collection Avocado Eye Mask

L'Oreal Pure Clay Face Mask

Vasanti BrightenUp! Enzymatic Face Rejuvinator 

Ponds Evening Soothe Moisture Clean Towelettes

Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+

Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel 

MDSolarSciences Daily Anti-Aging Moisturizer

Mario Badescu Facial Spray

Lush Cosmetics The Kiss Lip Scrub

Trader Joe's Tea Tree Oil 

I have had less time to read lately than I'd like, but I recently decided to reread Nasty Galaxy by one of my all-time favorite chicks, Sophia Amoruso. This book is described as a "life bible" by Sophia, founder of Nasty Gal. It's a guide on how to make sure that you leave your mark on the world, with wonderful stories from powerful ladies who have done so themselves. It is part scrapbook, part inspirational stories and completely lovely. Sold here!

Let me know if you try some of these out and share your thoughts on them/other products that you've loved this month! :)

Onwards and Upwards: 20 Important Daily Reminders

I know things have been a bit slow around these parts, I apologize for that. With a full-time job and a part-time job on my plate, it's safe to say that I have had some difficulty finding time to do a lot of the things that bring me happiness. This issue, I have found, has prompted me to realize that I could really benefit from taking my own advice. On this outlet and in my every day life, I am constantly preaching about the importance of always making time for the things that you love, no matter how hectic life may get. Often times, this mantra may be a bit easier to practice before you're launched into the real world. When things keep piling up on your plate, it can be tough to find a way to balance it all, but that's life.

As I continue to adjust to this transition and my new life as an actual adult (better late than never, right?), I often find myself succumbing to the pressure. An important reminder I think that we could all benefit from is this- you are the person who decides if you are happy or not. No one is going to wake up every morning and make that decision for you. You cannot depend on others to supply you with that feeling- they are not responsible to do so for you, they must do it for themselves. You have to choose happiness and keep choosing it. We must wake up every day with the idea that these 24 hours will matter- they will be important, for we will see to it to make them that way.

If you are proud of who you are, what you are putting out into the world, the impression that you are leaving on others and the work that you are doing, what else matters? In true Alissa style, I've compiled a list of 20 daily reminders that I think all of us could resonate with.

1. Don't go searching for things that will upset you.

2. Accept that some things are not meant to last forever.
3. Let people go if they want to go. Appreciate what they brought into your life, even if their role was short-lived and ended before you were ready for it to.
4. Have faith in the fact that if people are meant to be in your life, eventually, they will be.
5. Don't spend your days grieving. Wake up and acknowledge all of the things that you do have in life.
6. Don't try to convince people that you matter- that's something that they should know without a reminder.
7. Know that every situation- all of the bad and all of the good- is necessary if you want to grow.
8. Talk to someone with a different set of beliefs that those that you hold- they may teach you a thing or two.
9. Wear the clothes that you feel best in. Spend the extra money if you want to. Shamelessly take that selfie and be comfortable with who you are.
10. Wake up early in the morning. Don't check your phone right away- social media will continue on without your incessant checking in, I promise. Stretch, make yourself tea, sit down, listen to music and just relax.
11. Take care of yourself and the people who take care of you.
12. Do something today that your future self will thank you for. Try to make your time here matter- it can very easily fade away with nothing to show if you let it.
13. Write this down and remember it- you are worth knowing, finding and loving.
14. Don't compare your life/story to others. There is enough sun for everybody. Someone else's success does not rob you of anything. Cheer for people, encourage them, really, truly, sincerely desire to see them happy.
15. Don't get stuck in the past. Don't try to fast-forward into a future that is not yet yours. Give today all that you can- get to a point where you can climb into bed at the end of the day and feel like you made your time worthwhile.
16. Make a playlist of all of the songs that make you smile. Listen to it on a solo drive with no destination. Roll down the windows and sing your heart out.
17. Hug, smile, kiss, love, meet new people, show them things that you think will make them happy.
18. If you want something to happen- go out and make it happen. Beautiful and important things won't fall into your lap without any effort.
19. Know this: everything is happening exactly as it should- it may not seem that way now, but you'll realize it one day.
20. Forgive yourself and forgive others. It's so easy to be upset these days- it's not so easy to make changes and to really understand- but it's so, so incredibly important.

2016: A Wrap Up

One week into the New Year, it is safe to say that 2017 has already been more than incredible to me. Looking back on 2016, I am thankful for all of the highs and the lows. I received my college degree, a beautiful little goddaughter, two incredible jobs, met new people, explored new places and found out a hell of a lot about myself. All of the rejection I faced in the past year has led me to where I am today- a place that I could never have imagined I’d ever be. Reflecting on what was the most life changing year for me yet, here’s a list of some of the things that I am thankful for.

When the things that you love are not traditional. The fact that I have a family that supports my dreams (and the amount of time that it takes to achieve them). The coffee shops I spend hours on end in- alone, writing, listening to music. Finding comfort in the unknown. The fact that I went from unemployment to now having two of my dream jobs in the fields I am most passionate about- PR and fashion. Being able to share what I love with others and having them do the same with me. The world of endless opportunities that we have. The creative individuals that I have in my life. Finding inspiration in everything. Not taking the easy way out. The fact that working hard for things makes them all the more rewarding in the end. Being able to express myself through my favorite outlets of all- fashion and writing. Meeting like-minded individuals. Finding that rejection always, always, always leads to something better. Growth and the people who support it. Friends who are genuinely happy to see you succeed. People who reciprocate effort. Learning new things- about yourself, others and the world at large.

Life happens in exciting ways. Focus on your passions and chase them until you reach them. Life is short, it is meant to be lived and it is yours. Don’t do things just because you think that you are supposed to, do things because you actually want to. Realize that the easy way is not always the right way. Create a career path that you will be proud of. Know that it is okay to outgrow both people and places. Find the strength to move on from the things that are no longer beneficial in your life. Be picky until you find exactly what it is that you are looking for. Never be embarrassed about the things that you are passionate about. Make it a point to attempt to learn something new every single day. Work your butt off and find the importance in treating yourself. 

Don’t waste time on things that drain you- people, jobs, relationships, etc. - the right things in life will not. Make playlists and listen to them in bed. Shut your electronics off and spend time with your family. Buy a journal and dedicate it solely to your dreams and goals. Realize that there really is beauty in everything and open your eyes to it. Give people second chances- not two hundred. Know your worth and don’t accept anything other than what you deserve. Learn that three sleeps can fix just about anything. Realize and accept the reality that some people do not have your best interest in mind and move on. Look out for yourself and those in your circle and forget about the rest. Be good to people- genuinely and completely good. Don’t do things because you want them done for you in return, but know when to draw the line and realize how crucial it is to not give all of yourself to those who don’t appreciate/value you. 

Take pictures of the things and people that make you happy. Look at them when you are upset. Appreciate the time it takes to get to where you need to be- every single second matters. Your journey is uniquely yours and it is a beautiful one. Make a list of the things that really, truly matter and stop worrying about the rest. Make your year what you want it to be. Vow that 2017 will be a year of growth, love, happiness and success. Then get up, go out and make things happen.

Back to Blogging (FOR REAL) and What I Wore: Wednesday 12/7/16

It’s hard to believe that after over a full year, I am back to blogging (once again). As someone with an outrageous abundance of thoughts that I’d like to get out, I’ve known since I started this blog in the beginning of 2014 that this is a great outlet to do just that. Regardless of if two people or two hundred people read my scattered mess of thoughts, there is something so therapeutic to me about writing and, to be honest, I will never get tired of hearing people tell me that my words inspired them.

As I now am going through what is the biggest transition period of my life, I find myself, more often than not, extremely overwhelmed. I am always feeling like there is more that I should be doing. More that I could be doing. Prior to graduating, I had convinced myself that I had a definitive plan for my future. I’d live at home for the summer after graduation, work a couple of part time jobs, save up some money, find a full time job by the time fall came around, and be able to move out of my parents’ house and into my own place. As it always goes, life sometimes has different plans for us. Your road map could look a hell of a lot different as you actually begin to embark on your journey. But one thing I have been reminding myself lately is that although my map may have its fair share of bumpy roads and detours, it does not make it any less meaningful. The detours don’t mean that we are going the wrong way, they just mean that we are taking a different route. And maybe these diversions are there for a reason- maybe they serve as a way to steer us clear of something that wasn’t exactly right for us. The reality of it is this: we will never know unless we keep going. 

I am making a vow to myself to focus more on what really matters. I love fashion. I love writing. I love promoting what I love. This space is the perfect outlet to do exactly that- so I am going to continue to do so as long as people continue to read. :) 

As far as fashion goes, I am basically waking up each day and attempting to see what I can pair with this skirt. It is the most comfortable and adorable thing I own and recently decided to splurge on. As a Free People stylist, I may be biased, but this store has basically everything my grungy/boho loving self needs. I’ve been pairing this skirt with everything from cropped tanks to baggy sweaters and it’s now become an essential part of my wardrobe.

I have spent so much time planning so many new and exciting things for V&V and I hope you’ll stick around to see. As a 22 year old fashion obsessed chick with more spare time than I’d like to have lately, I’m promising to prioritize this blog once again. Thank you for staying around and reading my mess of thoughts almost three years later- you all are the absolute best!

Skirt: Free People, Bralette: Free People, Top: Free People, Boots; Yoki, Jacket: Levi's

What I Wore: Saturday 8/15/15

It’s hard to believe that we’re already over halfway through the year. 2015 (so far) has been a whirlwind year full of transitions, setbacks, harsh AND exciting realizations, and countless lessons. In what seems to be the most growth-filled year so far, I’ve accepted the end of many once seemingly vital things in my life and welcomed the start of exciting and new beginnings.

I’ve found myself thinking lately that- for someone so focused on their future- I do reflect quite frequently on my past. I often wonder why things don’t work out the way that we hope that they do- despite our resilient efforts. Whether it’s a rejection for no valid reason after a job interview for a position that seemed perfect for you, or rejection for no valid reason from a guy that seemed perfect for you, series of let downs make it especially easy to lose hope. At the end of the day, we can chalk it all up to one thing- timing. Timing is everything- and sometimes, it just is flat out not on your side. 

The crazy thing about life though, I have learned, is that what seems like the absolute end of the world is really just a minor bump in the road. Successes wouldn’t feel so great without past disappointments, and for these disappointments, we should be thankful. Without the failed job interview, I would have never been given the chance to land the job I now have- one that I am far more well-suited for. And thanks to the fact that things with prior love interests did not work out how I had hoped, I have learned my worth. To sum this long lesson up, here’s my advice: never settle. The moment you realize that things didn’t work out how you had planned, it’s time to make a new plan. Know your worth. Timing may be a big, massive *B word*, but it’s everything. When things don’t go your way, know that your way may not have necessarily been the right way. It’s easy to mope and feel as if the whole world’s against you, but it’s vital to recognize that there are far better things out there. If it passes by you, it’s not meant for you. Moving forward, vow to do just that- move forward. Never look back- appreciate your past but don’t let it cloud your future. There’s an entire world of opportunity awaiting you in the future, and you’ll never get to revel in that fact and see what’s out there if you continue to live in the past. Here’s to recognizing your worth, moving onward and upward and acknowledging and appreciating that while we may not always have it all under control and well planned out- there is beauty in the unknown.

Tank: H&M, Pants: H&M, Shoes: Windsor Store, Polish: Mint Candy Apple by Essie

Back to Blogging (Again!) and What I Wore: Wednesday 6/10/15

After a series of setbacks that resulted in a long period of complete discouragement, I am finally back to V&V. Inspired by a conversation I had with a friend who has come a long way in reaching success by focusing on turning his passion into a career, I began to think about what it is that I want to be focusing on at this point in my life. At the start of 2014, I was writing for my own blog and focused all of my time on energy on producing content regardless of who was viewing it. To me, this meant that I would write about things that I was passionate about for this blog, even if one person out there was reading it. It was only after I started writing for a company that I began to reevaluate my decision to blog on my own. The content I was writing for this company was receiving page views, but at the end of the day, it was not something that I was passionate about.

I found myself wishing that I could write what I wanted to write- in the way that I wanted to write it. I wished I could show off my inspiration and my thoughts without having a mandatory format to follow and certain restrictions on the content that I was allowed to produce.

Ultimately, no one can choose your path but you. It is our own responsibility to say no to things that don’t matter and yes to things that will help us to grow. The most important reward, I have learned, is not the recognition that you may receive, but rather the happiness that what you are doing brings you. Surround yourself with people who inspire you. Find someone who has found success in doing what they love- and learn from them. There is nothing more inspiring than choosing to have the right people in your life- the ones who have been at the bottom but have worked relentlessly towards reaching their goals. Being stagnant and expecting others to hand you what you want will never allow for growth. Success will never come overnight. It may not even come for years, but every second spent working towards your dreams is one second closer to getting where you want to be- and if that isn’t inspiration enough, then I don’t know what is.

Top: Forever 21, Necklace: Brandy Melville, Overalls: Loft, Similar sandals: Zooshoo, Arm cuff: Topshop, Lipstick: Anastasia Beverly Hills Lipgloss in Undressed

Blogging Breaks and What I Wore: Thursday 4/1/15

After yet another blogging hiatus, I’m finally back. Sometimes I find myself wondering if anyone notices whether or not I post on here, and I’m always so happy when people asking me questions about my absence. When I first started my blog a little over a year ago, I posted every single day. Since then, life has become a bit hectic and messy- but my time away from this has shown me that it’s so important to make time for the things you really enjoy doing. Blogging brings me a sense of happiness and relaxation and always makes me feel like I’m on the right track in terms of doing what I love. Four months into 2015, I’m as busy as ever, but that’s no excuse to stop doing the things that make me happy. If you find something you enjoy doing- make time for it no matter what.

After living in another country for four months, my first semester back home has been full of adjustments and realizations. As one of my final semesters comes to a close, I’m finding myself feeling overwhelmed by the idea that maybe I’m not exactly where I had imagined myself being in life at this point. At age twenty, I’ll be starting my last year of college in only a few months. The realization that in one short year I will be ending yet another chapter in life and soon totally out on my own in the real world is terrifying, but I’ve always been one to believe that there’s a plan for each and every one of us. Instead of being disappointed by the things we have not yet fulfilled, we should be excited to know that there is so much for us left to explore and encounter. It’s all about having faith in the right things and believing that you are good enough to achieve whatever it is that you put your mind to. The idea of disappointment is just a fork in the road. We often fail to recognize that we are doing better than we let ourselves believe. We have unknowingly picked our paths and are taking steps towards becoming exactly who we want to be each and every day.

Here’s to reveling in the fact that there is a lifetime worth of opportunity and excitement that awaits us. We are not behind, we’re just slowly (but surely) making our way down our own paths.

-          A

Bodysuit: Missguided, Jeans: PacSun, Sunglasses: Forever 21, Sneakers: Vans