My detailed CURLY HAIR ROUTINE/ CURLY JOURNEY

Tuesday, June 15, 2021

 *Sponsored by Hair Food. All opinions are my own.*




It has been an honor partnering with Hair Food for almost a year. I’ve found some of my current favorite products and I know I’ll continue using and including them in my hair routine.


One of the many reasons I’ve loved this partnership is that the Hair Food products are free of sulfates, parabens, mineral oils, and dyes- which is the first thing you should do when bring back your curls back to life!




Here are all of my tips!


- Learn to love your natural hair pattern:
This was very hard for me at the beginning. Society has taught us that volume is bad, that curls are unprofessional, and that it is easier to just “straighten your hair”. This is definitely easier said than done, but it is beautiful how I healed, as my curls “healed”.

- Identify your curl pattern and its needs - this will help you understand what your hair needs exactly. For example: your hair might need extra hydration, and for that I recommend a hair mask like Hair Food’s Avocado & Argan Oil Smoothing Hair Mask.

- Stop washing your hair that often.
It doesn’t have to be a full week between washes, just add an extra day here and there. 

- Avoid heat tools as much as you can.
This one has been hard for me because of the constant photoshoots, I feel my hair needs to lock as good as possible. So, I try to ONLY curl the strands that are acting up and being rebellious.



Now let’s talk about EXACTLY what I do:

1) WASH:
I only wash my hair once a week because that’s what works for me.  When I wash it, I like using Hair Food’s Apple Cider Vinegar Hair Rinse. I use it instead of my shampoo, leave it in for 3 minutes and my hair feels like new.


If I need to wash it earlier than a week, I sometimes skip shampoo and just use the Manuka Honey & Apricot Moisturizing Conditioner. I massage my scalp with it and just rinse!





2) GEL IT OUT
After getting out of the shower, I use a gel to make sure my curl holds its shape as much as it cans. I apply it generously from roots to ends and I scrunch it. I regularly let it dry BUT if I’m in a hurry, I’ll use a diffuser (not my fave as I’m really avoiding heat).



3) BREAK THE CURLS:

At this point, my curls are tight, and I like going in and break them with the Hair Food Avocado & Argan Sulfate Free Smoothing Color Safe Hair Oil. It adds another layer of hydration, and makes my hair looks extra shiny!





4) A BIT OF CURLING:

Yes, I know I said to avoid heat tools as much as possible BUT it’s okay to curl some strands. I regularly just do the top layer or a few strands around my face to frame it better. I make sure to use Hair Food’s Coconut & Argan Oil Heat Protectant as it protects your hair from heat damage up to 450 degrees!



And that’s all I do!


Tell me about your CURL ROUTINE!

You can shop all the products by clicking here and hopefully you’ll love them as much as I do.




FabFitFun’s Summer 2021 box Is Just What I Needed This Season

Wednesday, May 26, 2021


[Sponsored by FabFitFun. All opinions are my own]





Last season, I loved sharing my honest review about FabFitFun’s Spring Box. I loved all the products and I couldn’t wait to receive the Summer 2021 box!


Just to remind you: FabFitFun is a seasonal (quarterly, not monthly) subscription box that includes  full sized products, beauty, fashion, fitness, and lifestyle products!! Plus you can customize the box! You can either pay per box or pre-pay for the 4 boxes and get extra perks like customizing your ENTIRE BOX! It is available in the U.S, Canada, and the U.K



Let me tell you about my favorite’s this season (these are available to all members to pick from). Most of them came at the perfect time as I was looking for them- just what I needed!


Oh wait,  I’m loving how different the boxes are each season! But what I appreciate the most is the commitment to sustainable practices, all the Kraft boxes are 100% recycled!


- SummerSalt Neoprene Beach tote in Pink/Red or Blue/Green: I’m a big fan of Summersalt so I had to pick this soft water-resistant neoprene bag in Pink/Red. It’s the perfect beach bag but it’s also perfecto for any quick summer outing (I just throw all my things inside and I’m out the door).





- Milly Jewelry Case: this is such a cute jewel case, and very compact for traveling.  Right now, I added my current favorites so I have them in hand whenever I need to.




- Nectar Sunglasses Blue Light Blocking Glasses: don’t ask me why but I would always forget to get a pair of Blue Light blocking glasses and I’m excited to see the difference- as I truly spend a lot of time in front of the computer. The style is also super cute.




- Scentuals Vitamin C Serum: I’ve been wanting to add a Vitamin C Serum to my routine for a while and I’ve actually heard great things about Scentuals. You can use it morning and/or night to hydrate and plump your skin!





Like I said, Annual members choose all items but if you want to try just one box: FFF will surprise you with an item - like this Mented Cosmetics Liquid Lipstick in The Berry (such a gorgeous color!!)! or these Kate spade new york Workout Socks with grip on the bottom that I am excited to try when I go back to barre after the baby is born!





You MUST try it! These were just some of my picks, but as you can see, some products are worth more than the entire box (absolutely worth it)- and it is great if you love discovering new products and brands! 


If you want to try it out, I have a little surprise! Get $10 off your FabFitFun box by using the promo code NANY!







My current favorite hair products!

Tuesday, April 27, 2021

*Sponsored by Hair Food. All opinions are my own.*




At the beginning of 2021, I shared here on the blog how exciting it has been working with Hair Food for almost a year. You can check out the other post where I am sharing my routine and a smoothie inspired by their kitchen-crafted recipes full of superfood by clicking here.


I love that they are free of sulfates, parabens, mineral oils, and dyes- they work amazingly for my hair type and curl journey. It has been such a fun partnership and I get to try the new products, and these are a few that won’t leave my beauty cabinet for a while!!!



1. Hair Food’s Apple Cider Vinegar Hair Rinse. 



When I started reading about how to revive your natural curls “apple cider vinegar” was mentioned A LOT. And I understand why. Here are some of the benefits of this rinse for thick and curly hair.


- Helps bring hair’s health back into balance.

-Helps balance a dry and itchy scalp Rich in nutrients that are good for hair.
- Helps exfoliate scalp to remove buildup.

I use it instead of my shampoo and apply it directly to my scalp and hair and leave it for 2-3 minutes.




2) Hair Food’s Coconut & Argan Oil Heat Protectant Blend.

I really try to avoid heat as much as I can, but from time to time I have to curl a few strands around my face AND once every few months, I straighten it with a flat iron.


I spray section by section before applying heat and it protects your hair from heat damage up to 450 degrees and gives it a healthy shine.






3) Hair Food’s Avocado & Argan Oil Smoothing Hair Mask. 


Every time I feel like my hair needs extra hydration, I go for this Avocado & Argan Oil Smoothing Hair Mask. I leave it for 5 minutes, rinse it, and then I feel like new!







4) Hair Food’s Avocado & Argan Sulfate Free Smoothing Hair Oil

If you use any gel to hold your hair, I really recommend using a drop of this hair oil to open up the curls and break the hold.  I really like it because it helps me prevent frizz and gives it a shine kick!



Have you tried any of these?

You can shop them by clicking here and hopefully you’ll love them as much as I do.






Baby #2 IS ON THE WAY!

Thursday, April 15, 2021



Almost a year ago,  I wrote an article about "Are We Ready For Baby #2?".

We definitely have been ready for another baby for a while, but the pandemic changed our plans and we were just going with the flow. Since I haven't shared the news here on the blog,  let me just share it here too!

A few days after my birthday in October,  I found out I was pregnant. It was a bit of a shock because we weren't necessarily TRYING (not being too careful either).  You can  see Gabe's reaction in the video on IG. It was such a sweet reaction!

We waited a lot to share it, I was over 20 weeks- but I decided to wait because we had a scare at 17 weeks and just wanted to hold this baby tighter.

At the moment of this post, I am almost 29 weeks pregnant.  We have both been feeling great!

I'll continue to share more updates here, as I can write more and express myself! This has been like an open to the public diary for 10 years!

We were, and are, SO excited and happy. Nico is really excited to be a big brother and we can't wait to see them together! Leave any questions below! But you can see a few Q+A on my Instagram!






 

New Vanity Essentials …with QVC

Sunday, March 28, 2021

 *Sponsored by QVC and ShopStyle Collective. This post includes affiliate links. All opinions are my own.* 







Last month, I told you all about how we started a little gym corner after getting an amazing deal on this compact treadmill from QVC.


We still have so much to do around the house and my bedroom is definitely nowhere done. However, I’ve been eyeing some pieces to spice up my vanity and there was this mirror with multi magnification and storage, it also comes in silver but rose gold is more of the vibe I’m going for. I also really liked that the base has a storage perfect enough to keep my daily makeup organized.





Talking about daily makeup;  if you have been following for a while, you KNOW how much of a fan I am of IT Cosmetics. If you are looking to try the brand, this 5 pc Collection is a great way to get a few new every day favorites. Also this Lip Serum Treatment Trio is absolutely amazing  for hydrating your lips- and the pigments are great for that natural youthful looking look.





I also saw this amazing deal for a Micro-Dermabrasion Device that I couldn’t pass- it is from a brand called 7LS and exfoliates outer layers of the skin to improve the appearance of lines and pores. The bad news, I forgot I cannot use it yet (the skin is just extra sensitive during pregnancy). So I might either gift it to my mom on Mother’s Day that’s coming pretty soon…OR wait until July and make sure the baby glow stays!





Since this little desk also works as an office for zoom meetings, I also got this cute and versatile black blazer! You can also find more colors and sizes HERE.


What are your vanity essentials?


Remember you can check out some of the amazing deals at QVC (from home to beauty and fashion, and everything in between), and use the following codes: OFFER ($10 off purchase of $25+ for first time customers) and HELLO10 ($10 off purchase of $25+ orders for second time customers).








Safe Travel Guide to Fort Myers & Sanibel Beaches

Tuesday, March 2, 2021


 I was invited by  The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel for a fun *and safe* family road trip  to this beautiful area. I got so many questions via Instagram and I want to share all the details about where we stayed, where we ate, where we went, and more.


Because of the current worldwide pandemic, I personally do not feel comfortable traveling by plane- especially with a two year old. However, I love the idea of driving to another city in your state, changing the scenery, supporting local business and tourism, and enjoying life while still being safe.


The drive to Fort Myers & Sanibel is under 3 hours from South Florida. 3.5 from Orlando, and a little bit over 5 hours from Jacksonville- we were coming in from Miami so it was a really easy drive with a toddler.


Where we stayed: Matlacha Tiny Village





I was so excited about staying in a tiny home, I absolutely love the concept and it was adorable. The one we stayed in was “Flamingo” themed and everything had little flamingos on it.  This home sleeps 6 adults and it includes a full kitchenette.


The community has a few tiny homes and its amenities include BBQ grill, dock, deck and kayak launch. I also found very convenient that it had picnic tables outside because we liked picking up food at restaurants and eating outside.


We also loved the location, Matlacha is so colorful and the people were very nice.




Must-have eats:








- Blue Dog Bar & Grill: If you want local seafood, this is THE place! It was recommended by many locals and it did not disappoint! My favorite were the fish tacos.



















- Great Licks Ice Cream Shop: This spot was just across the street from the Tiny Village and we wanted to go every single day! If you see a long line outside, YES it’s because they are so good but also because they are very safe, only the customer buying can go in (and of course, masks required).








-Yucatan Waterfront Bar & Grill: The vibe is pretty great with music, and the waterfront view is beautiful.  Besides the bacon glazed salmon I ordered, I wanted to try something different so I tried gator bites for the first time ever, they were delicious!













- Perfect Cup: This was our breakfast place! The pancakes are delicious and HUGE (so you can definitely share!).



-Island Pho & Grill We were kind of craving some asian food and we heard great things about Island Pho. If you go, you have to try the spring rolls…they are everything!

- Paradise Deli: This was our last stop before heading to Sirena Park and heading home, we took some delicious egg sandwiches to go and enjoyed it at the park while looking for manatees (more on it below!)




What to do:

-Pineland Site Randell Research Center
The first day we visited the Calusa Heritage Trail (0.9 mile walk through mounds and canals of the Pineland archaeological site). It was very interesting to learn about the Calusa Indians that inhabited the area many years ago.





-Cayo Costa State Park (we used Tropic Star of Pine Island to get there)
The second day we went to Cayo Costa, which is a state park island that is only accessible by boat or kayak and used to be a former fishing ground of the Calusa Indians.  We arrived via boat in the early morning (Tropic Star takes about an hour each way), it was nice that it wasn’t full and everyone was required to wear a mask. Many people were in their “hiking" gear and when we arrived there I was excited to see a lot campers with their tents. It looked really fun staying overnight (adding it to my bucketlist!). 

We headed to the beach since the island has nearly 9.5 miles of pristine beach on the Gulf of Mexico. The day was a bit cold and cloudy but the water was still so beautiful.

TIP: you need to bring everything you need as there is barely anything on the island- aka bring food, umbrella, towels…everything!

Because of Nico, we decided to stay until 1pm instead of 3pm- and it was a great decision, he was already super tired from all the playing in the sand and he napped the whole boat ride to Pine Island.

























- Thrifting on Fort Myers
The third day we headed to Fort Myers and as I absolutely love finding gems in thrift stores, I googled the ones in the area. There are MANY thrift stores around Fort Myers and so many have amazing beach furniture.We might go back when we start decorating our home. I actually bought some gold beautiful frames that I can’t wait to repurpose, and some vintage jewelry!






- Biking on Fort Myers Beach (Fun Rentals- Fort Myers Beach)

if you want to enjoy the beach and shops, rent a bike! Toddler seats are available for your little one!
Sirenia Vista Park

- On our last day, before driving back to Miami, we stopped by Sirenia Vista Park to see if we were lucky enough to see manatees (as they are common during the colder months January/February). We didn’t see them but Nico had a blast running and we read some books after having breakfast with a view!







Have you been to The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel? I had a blast doing this little guide, let me know if you want to see more like this!