Lifestyle/Wellness

October 15, 2017

K-Beauty on a Budget

Hi! I wanted to do a little quickie informative post on some skincare products I have been loving lately…from CVS of all places! I know, I know CVS isn’t as classy or cool as my fave Sephora, BUT, they have recently started featuring a really trendy Korean-Beauty section, and it is just slaying the game in the world of beauty products (and on a budget, I might add). Just goes to show that not all of the most effective products have to cost your whole paycheck. #babeonabudget

Have you dabbled in the world of K-Beauty? As a skincare obsessee, I’ve got a sheet mask for every day of the week! Korean beauty, aka K-Beauty, has been getting major hype in America for the past few years. (And honestly, it’s a trend I don’t see going away anytime soon!) If you’re not familiar, K-beauty refers to all the skincare and makeup products hailing from South Korea. They combine the best of innovative skincare technology while also paying attention to use of natural and plant-based ingredients. Plus, the products are guaranteeeed to be the cutest and most easy to recognize on the shelf- they are known for their colorful packaging and cute little cartoon shapes and graphics.

Most of the products I get are focused on acne-prone skin, calming inflammation, brightening skin tone, reducing hyper pigmentation, and a little preventative anti-aging on the side. (LOL is that everything?!) The K-Beauty section in CVS came throuuuugh, and they have a lil something for everyone. Here are some of my current faves in rotation.

Peach Slices shrink pores mask, 7 days lemon mask, 7 days aloe mask

Sheet masks are so only fun and easy to use. The fun part is that you look super creepy wearing the mask over your face (not a cute look, but maybe good for Halloween?) The easy part is that there is no mess like there is with a traditional face mask- you just throw the sheet over your face, wait 15-20 minutes, then boom, throw it away. No washing, no rinsing, no scrubbing little green flecks off your face in the sink. Whatever gel or essence is left on the skin can just be patted in for your skin to absorb the ingredients. Very efficient.

I do have a confession… I don’t really listen to the directions on the mask, so you can either do as I do, or don’t haha. I wear my sheet mask overnight. WHY you ask???

Ya wake up looking fancy fresh. Just think about it- having the mask on while you sleep, not only is your skin doing its reparative thing, but all those active hydrating, restorative, clarifying ingredients are seeping in as much as humanly possible.

The mask eventually falls off when it dries and you roll around in the night, which makes for a great scavenger hunt in the morning. I don’t find socks stuffed at the bottom of my blankets, just sheet masks haha. I do the overnight masking when my skin reaaaally needs help. Makes such a difference.

Peach Slices Acne Dots

These are the holy grail for pimples!!! They are little transparent stickers you put on pimples overnight, and when you wake up, you take em off, and the pimple is either significantly smaller or even completely healed! I have been super impressed by these time and time again. They are especially miraculous for those pimples that you just had to pop. NOT saying it’s good to do that, but we can’t all resist the urge every time.

A tip from an ex-popper (though I’m not immune to relapse): Before I go in to pick at anything on my face, I put a sticker over it. Not only is it preventing me from doing something I will regret, it helps the pimple to go away. Like caution tape for your face.

Lazy & Easy Holika Holika Smooth Egg Skin Peeling Gel

This one is a bit of curve ball. It is adorable AF and that was the main reason it caught my eye. Nothing on the product is in English, except the very non-specific instructions, so I had to do some googling to get the scoop. It’s an egg gel that you use twice a week. According to the company, the eggs are from Jiri Mountain, the second tallest mountain in South Korea. I couldn’t find any reason as to why the eggs are special here, but it’s nice to know where your eggs are sourced from, I suppose. Just trust in the power of the magic mountain eggs!

Basically it is a gel/mask/exfoliating hybrid. You put it on after cleansing and drying, and as you rub it in circular motions, it literally lifts off the dead skin cells, which is both kinda gross and satisfying. Wash it off, and your skin feels smooth and looks brighter. I have seen an improvement in my post-acne hyperpigmentation from using this guy. The egg proteins help to tighten skin, lessen whiteheads and blackheads, and there is also lemon and orange extracts that help brighten the skin. There are no bad days when you start your morning with a smiley egg, am I right?

Have you peeped the CVS K-Beauty section? What are some of your faves? Always love to hear a product recommendation! Have a fabulous week!!

XO,

Alexandra

August 24, 2017

Cafe+Coffee Shop Guide, San Diego

Sitting here sipping a homemade latte cuz #bae-rista for life. If you follow me on Instagram, you know I recently got a Breville espresso machine, and I’m obsessed with it!

But let’s back up a second- I have not always been a coffee drinker. It has only been in the last year and a half that I have reallllly started drinking coffee. I would say it has become a daily delight for me in the past 4 months. It started as a once a week thing during my dietetic internship (tbh staying awake at a desk in the basement of a hospital is no joke). Then it gradually became a more frequent thing as I fell in love with the coffee/espresso/barista culture. I love the taste of good coffee/espresso, and holding a nice warm cup feels like a little endorphin rush. Perfectly foamed milk? I melt.

Yes, I appreciate the caffeine boost in my busy student/work/social life schedule, but honestly, I love the experience of going to a cafe or coffee shop, mingling with locals and friends, and enjoying a perfectly crafted latte. Which brings me to the point of this post- a list of all the places where I love to get my fix in San Diego. I have had plenty of time to venture San Diego in the quest for my favorite latte (and I have found it!). Beyond my favorite latte, there are also some serious gems in San Diego that are fun to hit up for a change of scenery and when you are feeling like treating yo’self to that coffee shop lyfe.

These are some of my favorite places to get my cafe-vibes on. I break down the highlights of each place so you know where to go, whether you need to study or get some avocado toast with your latte. You’re welcome.

Dark Horse Coffee Roasters

DH has three locations throughout San Diego: Normal Heights, Golden Hill, and North Park. They make a mean matcha latte as well as a regular latte. An added bonus and my personal favorite reason to go to Dark Horse- Skinny Donuts. This local doughnut company makes the BEST vegan doughnuts, which Dark Horse so kindly sells. Get the “stack” and order a doughnut to top your bevvie. Can’t go wrong with chocolate or vanilla, but they have more adventurous flavors like cherry pie and pink lemonade.

If you are looking to hang out for a bit and get some studying done, head to the Golden Hill location. They have a rad outdoor courtyard that’s fun to hang out in and stays relatively quiet amongst the hustle and bustle of the busy coffee shop.

Holy Matcha

Literally can’t put enough heart eye emojis to describe this place. It’s pink, trendy, and everything on the menu is matcha perfection. There is no coffee here- it’s strictly San Diego’s premiere matcha cafe. Everything is vegan, too! Iced lattes, ceremonial matcha, matcha doughnuts, avocado toast, matcha lemonade, the list goes on. It’s also an instagrammer’s paradise- I went to the opening, and they had this gorgeous live flower wall. Does it get any dreamier?!

Holy Matcha recently debuted a vegan matcha soft-serve that is to die for! Holy Matcha is constantly pumping out new creations, so you can be sure every time you stop by, there will be some beautiful new creation on the menu. Seating is pretty limited, so if its busy, order all the matcha things, take some fancy pics, and walk around North Park exploring the cool shops.

Holsem Coffee

Another North Park stop with some fun specialty coffee drinks. Coffee and non-coffee drinker alike can find something here. Matcha lattes (obvi a go-to) and some crazy-good cold brew infusions- think banana bread, lemon meringue, and gingerbread- set Holsem apart. Feeling a hot drink? Try a Lavender Latte or the La Vie En Rose- a cappuccino with rose petals, cardamom, and rosewater.

If you need a snack, try the coconut chia seed pudding or the ever-popular avocado toast.

Communal Coffee

Technically still in North Park…what is up with me and North Park? I somehow always end up in this area, and for good reason. They do cafes and coffee shops very well!! Communal Coffee shares a space with Native Poppy, the cutest specialty flower shop where you can make your own bouquets or pick up cute little whimsical gifts. Coffee and flowers? Yes, please! Communal has a fabulous range of standard coffee and espresso beverages, with some nice floral nods- lavender and rose both make an appearance in latte form.

And no coffee shop on my list would be complete without avocado toast! If you are feeling something sweet, the lavender honey toast with goat cheese is also quite dreamy. Stay a while to study or catch up with friends- they have plenty of seating both indoors and out, though it does fill up during coffee rush times and weekends.

Lofty Coffee

Did I save the best for last? In my opinion, yes…yes I did! Lofty has a special place in my heart where all of my obsessions live. It is the reason I got an espresso machine in the first place. I was, ahem, spending tooooo much money here. They make my absolute favorite latte in all the land. Is it the beans? Is it the housemate almond milk? Perhaps it’s both, perhaps it’s pure magic.

They have 3 locations around SD: Encinitas, Solana Beach, and Little Italy. You can find me frequenting the Solana Beach location chatting up my barista besties. I LOOOOOVE the almond milk latte (hot or iced), but they also have a killer fresh-made-daily, from-scratch zucchini muffin and yep, you guessed it- avocado toast! This is my happy place haha. I have limited myself to going here about once every 7-10 days, which makes it seem more special. There is great outdoor seating, which is ideal for both studying and people watching. In my eyes, Lofty can do no wrong. Except close at 6 pm haha. I would love to have 24 hour access, thank you very much!

Are there any places in San Diego I need to check out? I would love any recommendations! In the meantime, I will be in my own kitchen, brewing up a homemade latte and perfecting my bae-rista skills.

Have a fab weekend!

XO,

Alexandra

July 10, 2017

Watchu Know Bout Wagashi?

Fun fact: I am deeply fascinated, almost obsessed with Japanese culture and food. I feel so drawn to it, almost inexplicably so. Maybe it’s rooted in the beauty, poetry, and philosophy of it all. There is complexity and simplicity perfectly balanced in so many things, from the food eaten to the way of life. I could geek out on it allllll day. Japan is obvi on the top of my bucket list. Matcha, sushi, Hello Kitty, ancient geisha skincare secrets, the list goes on- I’m all about it!

Today’s post is all about an element of Japanese food culture that I love: Wagashi!

So what is wagashi? They are Japanese-style sweets that combine the traditional with simple beauty. Is it art or is it food?? LOL, sometimes I feel like it’s too pretty to eat, but then I remember how delicious it is and just enjoy it 😉 . Wagashi is based around the four seasons, so the flavors and appearances of the dessert offerings will rotate to match the seasons and to represent the joy and harmony that the season brings. If it’s spring, the wags will evoke springtime in every way. Without a doubt, it’s a culinary art form.

Kasutera- Matcha Sponge Cake

As a dietitian, I believe that desserts should be treats- enjoyed in moderation, and really, truly enjoyed with zero guilt. One thing I love about wagashi desserts is that they are made from whole foods and almost strictly plant ingredients (vegan-friendly!) with ingredients like red bean, kidney beans, rice, sweet potato, and sesame as the staples (love!!). They are sweetened lightly with fruit and sometimes a small amount of unrefined sugar. Since wagashi is all about balance, they are never overly sweet, and are traditionally served with a cup of green tea. (See the balance between the sweet wagashi and the more bitter, earthy green tea??) Balance is the name of the game.

Who would have thought a dessert could carry so much intent and meaning? Wagashi is like the exact opposite of a standard store-bought cupcake. When a food is so deeply connected to art, culture, and life meaning (so poetic, right?!), it makes it feel so special. You appreciate the food more, savor it, never eat it mindlessly. Wagashi requires you to eat with all of your senses activated.

Green Sencha Tea- grassy, vegetal, bitter-sweet

Eating with all the senses- such a great practice to implement in our daily lives when we consume food. It makes the meal (or dessert) more enjoyable, aids in digestion, and increases satisfaction. (Nothing is worse than eating in a hurry and not paying attention, only to realize you’ve eaten the whole bag of granola!!) Take the time to pause, really taste the food, and see how you feel.

Our brains need time to register that we are eating before we begin to feel full. This will prevent overeating. Hara hachi bu, another Japanese philosophy is to eat to 80% fullness, which has been shown to improve longevity. It is a concept that has been popularized by the Okinawan people, who happen to be living in what is considered a “Blue Zone”, where there is a large proportion of people living to 100 years or older. They are clearly on to something… Hara hachi bu is one of their several “fountain of youth” pillars.

Hakutou Jelly- White Peach Jelly, served chilled

So where can you get authentic wagashi? Look at Asian grocers, or buy online. But always check the ingredients!! Sometimes companies who mass-produce wagashi use filler ingredients like corn syrup or preservatives like sodium benzoate. A little effort in ingredient investigation makes a big difference. Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods both sell mochi (a rice cake filled with sweet red bean paste), which would be a good “gateway” dessert to trying wagashi, and would be relatively accessible for most of us in the states who cannot jet off to Japan on a wagashi whim.

Langue de Chat- Matcha Wafer; Taiyaki-Matcha Fish Shaped pancake filled with red bean

Keep scrolling through to see some more beautiful variations of wagashi. You can tell that the ones in these photos are reflective of the spring season. Think cherry blossoms, peaches, and floral designs. Oh and bunnies-yes, bunny-shaped desserts!!

Usagi-Bunny bean cake aka cutest thing ever!

Kusa mochi- mochi colored with mugwort leaves and filled with red bean

Oshka Shigure- Sweet red bean in a cherry blossom bun

Shikanshuku- dried persimmon bean cake

Have you tried wagashi before? I don’t get wagashi too often, and normally it is a celebratory treat that I get as a gift on Christmas or my birthday. Each dessert is presented so beautifully, they are absolutely perfect for a special occasion! I will literally take the smallest bites so I can enjoy them for as long as possible haha (after I take a million photos). Enjoy with a cup of hot tea, and you are basically transported to Japan. #goals.

Have a fabulous week!

XO, Alexandra

June 8, 2017

On Body Confidence + The Power of a Photo

Hey, hey 🙂

Long time no chat, and I will totally own up to my absence on b&b. We all have those busy seasons where life happens, and I am finally seeing the light at the end of my “first year of grad school” tunnel. Out with the research papers and in with the recipes and all the lovely things!

A lot of changes have happened in the past 5 months, both on an internal and interpersonal level. I have started a new job working as the creative manager for Natiya Guin, of Natiya Guin Photography. Natiya is such a talented photographer, and she took the images of me featured in today’s post! We will be working together as her business expands and flourishes. Lots of exciting new changes are in the works as we prepare to unveil her new business, so stay tuned!!

Without relaying my whole life story on here, I did want to open up and catch up, and I feel like this is a safe space where I can share the good, the bad, and the real. Let’s focus on the good and real today. Also, read til the end for a special on photography sessions that will be live for the next 48 hours!

So, body confidence…what does that mean? I think it means something different for everyone, but for me it is feeling genuinely happy in my skin. I might not feel fabulous every minute of the day, I might have insecurities, but I am thankful for the shell I’m in, and I love it regardless. We ALL have issues and mind games and fluctuations (physically and mentally) that we deal with. In my experience as a dietitian, I see so, so often people who are broken and defeated, and the luster in their eyes has gone away. Negativity is a nasty thing, because it creeps up and consumes you little by little until it is so ingrained in your mind that it becomes a part of how you see yourself.

I’ve been there myself. There was a season where my luster was gone, and my self- worth was diminished. I hid it well, on the outside happy enough, but on the inside scared and insecure. Always beating myself up, feeling stuck in that spiral of negativity. Climbing out of the pit was a series of ups and downs. Steps forward, leaps back. If you are feeling like your in a pit and not on the peak, I’m sharing tips that helped me get to where I am today.

Stop comparing

This was always a major downfall for me, and social media doesn’t help. For my confidence and wellbeing, I stopped following people on social media who left me feeling worse about myself. Don’t feel bad about cutting that ish out, because keeping it around will weigh on you. Also remember that people only show the best moments and not the unfiltered realness. I walk with blinders on, paying no mind to how fit/pretty/successful someone else is, and I focus on how I can improve myself and empower others.

Move

So much of my confidence came flooding over when I starting going to the gym. I’ve always been active, running and doing pilates or HIIT workouts from the comfort of my home. But I was scared to enter the gym space, worried about how other would perceive me. Curiosity and empowerment eventually won- I started going to the gym in January and I’ve never looked back. It’s made me feel strong and powerful. I get in there with my music blaring and block everything out except for paying attention to all the amazing things my body can do. Bottom line: Find the activity lights your fire, and run with it. Take care of your body, and appreciate all that you are capable of.

Content, but Continuing

Content but Continuing: Be happy where you are in the present moment. You are worthy regardless of the outside and you are capable of achieving amazing things. But also, don’t feel bad about wanting to strive for improvement. I call it “content but continuing” because that mindset allows for you to be happy and joyful in the “now” while still pushing forward to achieving new goals. Want to work on toning those abs? Yes, babe, go for it! But guess what? You can eat the cookie, you can have a belly pooch, and you can still be happy (and are still worthy and deserving of a happy life, 6-pack or not!)

Visual Reminders

I am a HIGHLY visual person. I put sticky notes around my house, on my mirrors to remind myself how fab I am, no matter what. It’s all about infusing those messages of positivity, even if it’s subliminally. Another way to capture that confidence and happiness is through photos. Keep photos around your home of times where you were just free, happy, and radiant. That’s why I’m so happy to have just done a photography session with Natiya. It was so fun, and now I have the photographs to remind myself how far I have come. I can see that twinkle restored in my eyes!

To celebrate body confidence and empowerment, Natiya is holding a FLASH SALE on photography sessions for the next 48 hours! Here are the deets:

–Shoot includes two looks/one location- Priced at $200 for b&b readers!!!!

–Must book via paypal or Venmo within 48 hours…

–Can book as far out as 3 months

–For Natiya’s portfolio and more about her, visit natiya.com

If you are interested in booking or have any questions, email me at bouquetsandbaguettes@gmail.com

I would love to get a conversation going around the topic of body confidence. How do you deal?? If you are interested in working with me on any nutrition and wellness goals, email me- I would love to work with you!

XO,

Alexandra

April 23, 2017

Current Obsessions in Natural Skincare

Hey, hey, hey! Currently having a relaxing Sunday night catching up on my DVR (anyone a fan of The Arrangement??). It has been an amazing Earth Day weekend here in San Diego- the weather was flawless. I spent plenty of time enjoying the sunshine and walking barefoot on the beach while watching the sunset. SUCH a rare occurrence for me cuz I’m normally crazy busy, but it was just too perfect outside to do HW indoors.

Now I’m craving summer like crazy! Just gotta get through 2 more months of school. 5 million projects and tests. ahah. I’m fine. (Send help!)

Now let’s talk skincare and makeup. I have shared some of my skincare life savers before, but not all of them were natural. I’ve switched several of the products in my regimen in the past few months, and I have had great results. It is so important to know what ingredients are going on your skin, because many ingredients have a small enough particle size that they can get absorbed and enter the bloodstream. Hence, keep it natural as much as you can. Buh-bye endocrine disruptors and carcinogenic garbage.

It’s easy for me to think very carefully about what I eat to take care of my body, but the world of natural skincare and makeup is another beast. Gotta be honest, sometimes the natural stuff doesn’t work too well. I can think of soooo many times a natural face serum has made my skin worse, or a natural concealer made me look like a pale zombie and then slid right off my face an hour later (no coverage, which is not ideal when the whole point is to conceal!) The struggle is over, though, because I’ve found the ride-or-dies you need in your arsenal of natural skincare and makeup.

Don’t even get me started on natural deodorant. I was convinced that a good, natural deodorant did not exist. Would there ever be one that minimized perspiration and actually kept you smelling fresh through a sweaty workout? The answer is a hallelujah YES!! I found the holy deodorant grail, and I’m sharing that today.

Found this beaut at a boutique in Venice Beach, but you can totally find it online. TMI maybe, but I am a sweat-er. My gym babes can vouch that I sweat, er, sparkle like crazy. I also get nervous for tests. SO between both of these occurrences that happen very often (tests and working out), this deodorant is the only one that has ever held up. I smell amazing alllllll day, and I actually don’t even remember what BO smells like??! GAME CHANGER.

One of my besties introduced me to 100% pure. All of their products are organic and 100% natural, toxin-free, and cruelty free. Love it! This serum contains a stable form of vitamin C and other antioxidants like vitamin E to boost collagen production. I have seen a major improvement in my skin tone and post-acne discoloration from using this. Bonus is that it goes on very light and does not cause breakouts.

Pimples. They are straight up awful . Blackheads. Also straight up awful. I smear a dot of this magic mask and it makes all the woes disappear. I literally threw away all the chemical-filled drugstore spot treatments. No more benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid drying out my skin cuz this stuff works even better. The craziest part is that it’s made from 2 ingredients: rasul clay and distilled water. My theory is that the distilled water comes from a magical well in Sweden with healing properties cuz there is just no scientific explanation to how this works so dang well.

Last, but definitely not least is this little power couple from 100% pure (did I mention I loved this brand). Natural face makeup is notoriously awful at covering up imperfections, evening skin tone, mattifying shine, staying in place, or even just making you look better-HA. After I tried this foundation powder (made from fruit pigments, with SPF nonetheless) and this concealer stick, I was sold. As in tossed-all-the-other-makeup sold. Stays in place, hides what needs to be hidden, and actually makes me look like a better, more flawless version of myself, naturally. #goals.

My whole objective with today’s post was to just share the natural products that I’m obsessed with right now because they work like no other, and they do it without a nasty ingredient list. I’m a picky, picky lady when it comes to skincare and makeup, so I only vouch for the products that work miracles.

What are your holy grail skincare products? Any natural gems I need to check out! Let me know.

Talk soon! XO,

Alexandra

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