Fashion

Create FREE Instagram Highlight Covers + Icons

Soo time is flying and severely got ahead of me! I can’t believe my last post was so long ago, oops! If you follow me on Instagram (which 87% of you do since this is probably what you led you here lol), you’d have noticed that I recently revamped my story highlights! As a Virgo, I *love* order and neatness, so I wanted to clean up my highlights and make them more uniform. When I did a little research on how to get these highlight covers, I was shocked to see bloggers and sites actually charge for them! Since I’ve been living everyday like Christmas, I figured let me see how I can create my own. I am so glad I did! I was able to customize the covers exactly to my taste and couldn’t be happier. I def plan on creating more and switch them up in the future.

Here is a step by step guide on how to make your own covers in literally ten minutes from ANYWHERE – phone or desktop!

Go to canva.com. You do not need to create an account, but if you do it is still free.
In the left hand corner, hit create design.
- Select Instagram story (1080×1920 px)

Now comes the fun part, the designing!

For the background of your cover, you can choose ones that Canva already has uploaded, or you can upload your own!
Next you can add text or search for various icons for whatever highlight you are trying to make.

Here is an example of the ones I made! To make more, you can simply just click on “copy page”. This will copy the exact page and you can just change the wording/icon. If you want to create a completely different theme or background, you would hit “add new page” at the bottom.

When you are all done, all you have to do is save! The app interface is still the same so from your phone you’d just download. On desktop, you’d download and then email to yourself and save from there. You can download all at once, or one at a time.

I hope this helps, I can’t wait to see some of your designs!

OH MY GAL – CANARY CLOTHING

First things first, there is a sweet discount code somewhere in this post ;). Secondly, if you follow me on social media, then you know I’ve recently worked with Canary Clothing on their latest and greatest collection, Oh My Gal. I’ve worked with them before on their other stunning collections, like the Lolita collection where I got to channel my inner Jenny from the block ;). Honestly, every piece in their various collections are so unique yet classic, it is hard to refrain from buying them all. On top of the pieces being chic, the quality is phenomenal. While the pieces are in line with the latest fashion trends, Canary has a unique touch and flair to their pieces that make them stand out. I love that they aren’t the cookie cutter version of the same old styles that I can found just by walking past five stores in the mall. They keep the in-style look but enhance it just right.

The Oh My Gal collection is 1950s inspired – if you know me, then you know I LOVE the 50s, so you can imagine my excitement. Aside from the details put into the looks and pieces, the detail put in behind the scenes is honestly unmatched. The devil is in the details and Canary Clothing slays all of them every single time. From photo shoots to packaging, they have all their bases covered and then some.

Here are some of my favorite pieces I got to model from the Oh My Gal collection. Check out their pieces and the rest of their collections! Oh and for a sweet 15% discount, use CDLauren15 at checkout!

Cherry Pie Gingham Dress: $63.95

Mary Joe Gingham Ruffle Top: $43.95

Going Steady Heart Shaped Cateye Sunglasses: $18.00

My Gal Cayete Sunglasses: $12.00

Peggy Sue Gingham Floral Top: $38.95

FAB FIT FUN – REVIEW

I have been seeing Fab Fit Fun everywhere, so I took the plunge and first ordered the Editor’s box, which I received for only $20 or so. Truthfully, I forgot I kept the subscription, so when I was charged the $50 bucks for the summer box, I figured why not, let’s see what the hype is all about! For the $50 seasonal subscription, you receive a box of goodies ranging from beauty to fashion to fitness. The value of the box is worth more than $200, what a steal!

When you initially subscribe, you fill out a survey, which is to help the FabFitFun team select products that are more in tune with your personal tastes. This does not mean the box is personalized however!

To start, I LOVED the Editor’s Box! Check it out below!

Rachel Pally Reversible Clutch – $60

Two clutches in one? Yes, please! I received the blue/pink one. The vibrant color and fun summer pattern can add a pop to any outfit!

Free People Starry Eyed Sleep Mask – $25

I love that this had removable cooling inserts!

Kate Somerville ExfoliKate® Intensive Exfoliating Treatment – $75

Honestly have not tried yet, but only have heard amazing things. The papaya, pumpkin, + pineapple enzymes perfectly polish your face while the treatment also improves texture, pores, fine lines, and wrinkles.

Spongellé Body Wash Infused Buffer in French Lavender – $16

OKUR. The smell of this alone is just incomparable. I am OBSESSED with it. It exfoliates, cleans, and moisturizes! Love the way my skin feels after using it.

tarte Double Duty Beauty™ leave your mark eyeshadow palette – $30

tarte is my favorite makeup brand, so I was over the moon when I received this. Seven eye shadows and a white gold highlighter?! I love to create natural, everyday looks with this palette ❤ ❤

Homemade by Ayesha Curry Ceramic Mug – $16

Super cute, and perfectly fitting for my desk at work!

Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair!™ Deep Conditioning Mask – $30

Can’t wait to try this especially since summer has been hard on my hair between the heat, styling, salt water, sun, you name it! It certainly needs some hydrations and restoration.

MYTAGALONGS Hot & Cold Gel Pack – $15

A perfect hot and cold pack for soothing any muscle aches and pains! Freeze or heat to the desired temp, and place where you need relief. Always good to have!

And now for the Summer box! I also loved this one. I think they included the perfect necessities for summer!

Coola Sport Sunscreen SPF 50 – $36

I have recently tried making everything I put on my body organic, and during summer, when sunscreen is basically the first thing you put on everyday, I was so happy to receive this! It feels great on my skin!

tarte sex kitten eye liner + pro to go eye palette – $43

Like I mentioned before, I LOVE tarte products! I actually have this palette and already used two of the colors so I was thrilled to receive a replenished one!

Vasanti Brighten Up! Enzymatic Face Rejuvenator – $34

First off, ONE bottle lasts SIX MONTHS. I am lucky if my face wash lasts me three weeks! This scrub brightens, cleanses, rejuvenates, and hydrates! Looks like I don’t have to leave mt house to feel like I went to the spa!

Foreo Luna Fofo – $90

This was the first thing I opened and tried. It was pretty cool to use and I was super happy to see that my skin age as my actual age! It is a silicone cleansing brush that features app-driven skin analysis. LUNA fofo analyzes the skin type and moisture level in each zone of the face to create a personalized skin profile.

Summer + Rose Beach towel – $55

I don’t know about you, but I feel like during summer I am always searching for a towel. One that is cute, clean, big, not hanging on by a thread, etc. Thank god I received this one. My woes are gone! This over-sized towel is so soft and just perfect for a day at the beach (sand won’t stick) or poolside! 🙂

Erth Pearl “Tu y Yo” Ring – $55

I am usually a strictly silver, simple jewelry person. Buuuut this has changed my views on pearls and gold. I love how unique it is. It has two certified natural cultured freshwater pearls and is 14K gold (real gold) plated!

Pier 1 imports Marble Ring Dish – $20

I love marble print, and I love this dish! The perfect addition to my vanity where I can place my rings and things, especially my new Erth ring!

Orlando Pita Play Atmos-Shield – $25

Following my organic preferences, this paraben free 10-in-1 thermal heat protection spray helps to fight potential damage caused by heat, UV rays, pollution etc. It helps protect hair, seal split ends, making hair shiny, soft, and smooth! Also, it smells amazing.

IMPORTANT: I also loved the reusable straw they sent to help gain awareness for the plastic crisis taking over the oceans. Save the turtles ❤

Overall, I would definitely recommend FabFitFun! They have awesome, unique, high quality products in their seasonal boxes – all for a price you couldn’t even dream of. Totally worth it, go get yours!

SPRING MUST HAVES <3

Spring is FINALLY here. Honestly I didn’t think it was going to show up here in NYC, but better late than never :). I’ve been shopping and dropping (money) on new spring/summer clothes and I kept coming across the same styles so I figured I would write about the top spring trends I am filling my closet with. I go more in depth and show some samples of outfits, but below is a basic overview ❤

Prints: Polka dots, floral, pastel colors.

Accessories: hoops earrings, chunky sneaks, cross body bags, low-block heels.

Denim: distressed/vintage, high rise, dark wash.

Tops: Bralettes, flowy tanks, bell sleeves, sheer.

Pants: wide-leg, colorful.

Sandals: less strappy, more blocky.

Check out some outfits!

Chunky sneakers!

Athleisure trend is still going strong and I LOVE it. I love pairing jeans and a cute top with some classic sneakers. Chunky sneakers are all the rage this spring. The springy colors and knit look are my favorite right now.

Wide-leg pants

Wide leg pants are here to stay! They offer such comfort, yet still provide a fashionable and laid back look. You can even dress them up with heels and blouses. I love pairing mine with crop tops and wedges. It is also a fun way to add a pop of color. For someone who always sticks with neutrals, it has allowed me to be a bit (aka ton) more open to colors.

Denim: Distressed, vintage, high-rise, fun crop

Jeans are obv never out of style, just the style of them fluctuates – remember flare jeans? Oh myyyy. Right now, distressed denim is in, along with the vintage look. Dark wash seems to be overpower and lighter acid wash jeans now. And of course we all know the come back high rise denim has made. What a god send that is.

Bralettes + flowy tanks

Lacy. Pastel. Bralettes. That is all I am going to say. I bought three bralettes and have been trying to pair them with EVERYTHING. Can’t go wrong with a flowy tank either. Obsessing over the TopShop one below 🙂

Open toe low block heels

These are my favorite shoes EVER. If I could wear them in winter I would…who am I kidding, of course I have. I love that you can dress them up or dress them down. The heel is the perfect size and I can wear them to a bar or to an event. Jeans? No problem. Dress? Perfect. Love. Love. Love. Go stock up on these!

Dresses + rompers

Maxi dresses paired with denim jackets = YES. Rompers with bell sleeves = YES. Shirt dresses = YES.

I can’t wait to see what trends Fall brings! ❤

#Armor #Abs

Abs are made in the kitchen. While yes, abs are made in the gym, what you make + eat in your kitchen is what will reveal them. Only about 30% of what you do in the gym will help with the abs, the other 70% is all about what you’re putting into your body. In this post, I will go over (and show you!) some exercises I do to help with my abs. I don’t have a six pack (I do have a sweet tooth 😉 ), but I do know these exercises are some of the best and will def have your abs burning the next day!

I do abs about four times a week. I dedicate one day to all exercises on the stability ball, another day to solely planks, another day leg raises/cable crunches/Russian twists, and another day on just random ab machines.

*Some of these require a pilates ball, but I will also include some other exercises that you can do without*

Feel free to mix and match!

Stability ball pike – 4 sets of 25

Stability ball mountain climbers – 2 sets of 30

Stability ball V-Up – 2 sets of 30
- Video here

Legs on ball crunch – 2 sets of 30

Side touches – 2 sets of 60 (30 each side)

Crunches on ball – 2 sets of 30
Stability ball tuck
- Video here
Hip side raises – 2 sets of 30 (each side)
Planks – I do seven minutes – one minute for each of the below
- Regular plank
- Star plank
- Feet on stability ball
- Left side plank
- Right side plank
- Elbows on stability ball plank
- Regular plank to start plank (every ten seconds switch)
Plank rolls – 2 sets of 30
Plank knees to elbow – 2 sets of 30(each)
Russian Twists (with 12 pound ball) – 4 sets of 25
Leg raises – 4 sets of 25
Cable crunches – 4 sets of 30
Weighted punch crunch – 4 sets of 25

VALENTINE’S DAY WINE GUMMIES

Happy Valentine’s Day sweethearts! ❤ A day full of flowers, chocolates, love…and wine gummies? I think YES. I made these awhile back and actually posted this recipe for another blog, and it was a huge hit so I decided I will share here as well :). Tell the chocolates to stay on the shelves this year, because these are bound to be all the rage – especially if you’re a wine lover.

Seriously the quickest recipe ever – just three ingredients! Since you can use red or white wine, you can cater to whatever you prefer, or if these are for someone else, whatever they prefer. These def can be made for any occasion, whichever cookie cutters you want to use! Easter? Jesus has risen – let’s celebrate with wine gummies! Columbus Day? He was Italian, they make wine, let’s celebrate with wine gummies! Labor Day? What is a little winding down the concept of work without a little wine? Let’s celebrate with wine gummies! You get the gist – and hey if you want to make them just because, I totally get that 😉

Ingredients:

1 cup of wine of your choice

4 Tbsp. gelatin

2 Tbsp. maple syrup* (To make sweeter, you can add more maple syrup. I wanted to keep the wine flavor, so I only used 2 Tbsp.)

Directions:

Pour wine into a saucepan over low heat. Let heat up for about 3-5 minutes at this low heat, you do not want the wine to boil.
Add 1 Tbsp. of gelatin at a time, whisking after each addition to make sure it is combined thoroughly.
Add maple syrup to the sweetness you desire. Whisk it all together and remove from heat.
Pour into long pan and let chill/set in fridge for 1-2 hours.

You can cut them out in any shape you desire or use cookie cutters, I chose hearts since Valentine’s Day is today 🙂

Note: Once chilled some parts may look bubbly, simply just cut out your shape and flip it over for the smooth side.

ZARA HAUL

Sooo I went to the mall to return a pair of pants….and left with an entirely new wardrobe from Zara. It is so crazy how life pans out right? Hahah seriously though it was been a hot minute since I went shopping at Zara, and I happened to go at the right time! They were having a MAJOR sale – still seems to be going on as of today 😉 , and it made me question why I stopped going here so frequently. From some of the coziest sweaters I’ve ever owned, to some of the most unique and trendy pieces I have ever owned, this latest haul had it all! Similar to H&M, they have great fast fashion pieces but also classic pieces. I like Zara bit more though because their pieces are more simple and classic, and easier to mix and match – and that is just more of my personal style. I also find their “statement” pieces to be more subtle and more doable for everyday, and severely less commercialized. Honestly, I have never seen some of these types of styles before.

I can’t seem to find any of this online, so I am not sure if it is just all in stores, but hey how different can each store be? If you find yourself in a near proximity of a Zara, then stop reading and go grab some pieces, your closet AND wallet will thank you!

Jeans: $12.99 + Sweater: $15.99