Monday Motivation: Change your Perspectives

Goooood morning! Ugh, the dreaded Monday blues! Rught? NO. Dont do that yourself..put yourself with the average person with that perspective. Look at Monday as the day after your rest days of enjoying the weekend, the day of back to grinding towards your work, what your priorities are, a closer chance and opportunity to get closer to your goals and dreams.  

Monday: a day to start fresh, new and make up for any mistakes made last week. Time to up the anty my friends. happy Monday, have a kickass day and make it a kick ass week! 

Alright, kids. It's Monday. Let's do this. Meryl and Jennifer believe in you. pic.twitter.com/7Nfc6MB1CL
— The Cut (@TheCut) February 23, 2015

Easy, Peasy 3 Ingredient Pancakes

GAH, I'm a breakfast person and am always looking for new breakfast ideas, that are preferably simple and healthy.  I just came across this 3-ingredient pancake from @eugeniekitchen that is so good I just had to share!

Ingredients:

1 ½ large ripe bananas
2 eggs
1/8 teaspoon baking powder
Instructions:

Crack the two eggs into a bowl and whisk together.
In a separate bowl, mash the banana with a fork or masher, but do not over-mash, as this will cause your pancakes to not be fluffy. Be sure to use enough egg to hold the mashed banana together, but make sure that you don’t use too much banana, or else the pancake will not hold.
Combine both bowls of ingredients together and stir.
Cook over medium-low heat, using only about one to two tablespoons of batter for each.
Once the baking powder is activated, flip the pancake over and allow it to cook for an additional minute.
Serve with blueberries, butter and maple syrup. The recipe makes a serving of 10 miniature pancakes.

Everything You've Ever Wanted to Know: Lash Extensions

Us girls tend to gravitate towards a beauty fad or two and literally become obsessive compulsive over it.  We research it all day, we find a ton of different options of how to get 'er done, and than we either go ahead with it or not. More often or not, for myself, I end up not.  But please, by no means am I going to waste my time and energy...I am going to share with you my leanings of the pros & cons of lash extensions...and then tell you why I am not going thru with it. 

I don't know if it's just me, but now more than ever I have been noticing longer, more luscious, luxurious looking lashes on ladies. I naturally have long lashes but these are wam-bam thank you ma'am gorgeous! Some are very obviously fake, while others have me guessing.  I took the time to look into lash extensions...and here are my findings. 

Types of Lashes: There are many types you can have done.  The most popularly known are the 3; synthetic, mink, and then there is silk.   

Synthetic Lashes – the most basic kind of lash which is also the least expensive extension type.

Silk Lashes– tend to be very popular as they are the “darkest, richest black,” says Buhler. “They provide the fullest overall look and kind of that deep mascara look.”

Mink Lashes– preferred by women “who are wanting a really natural lash look, and…a softer black.”

After you decide from the three, there are a variety of ways to actually have these applied.  Some extensions are single lashes while others may be a strip. Obviously, the single lash application will look a lot more natural but with this comes a lot more cost and expertise of the person whom will be applying these lashes.  Speaking of which, the training and qualifications of this person is very important and something you should absolutely consider. I've heard way too many horror stories of people not knowing what they're doing and using funky glues and wrong application processes. 

Along with all of the above, you want to make sure you have a guarantee that the lashes will last x amount of days.  If there is a problem with your lashes the day after you have them applied, you should be able to go back and get a complimentary touch up or fill. 

Make sure you do your research too! Look at their portfolio and see the actual work that has been done...make sure they are true images, and not Google Image'd eye lash extension photos. 

Cost: Prices range anywhere from $60 to over $200. Definitely check out Groupon for some local deals near you! 

Do they last? Not really. So sorry to be blunt here, but there are so many factors that become enemies to these faux lashes that I couldn't possible think it's worth it.  Lashes shed, begin to look patchy and soon enough, you will have gaps after a week or so and before you know it...it's time for a fill! You won't want to sweat, swim, do hot yoga, live in a tropical climate, etc etc. If you are planning to sit pretty, sure go for it...but if you live an active lifestyle, these lovely lashes most likely aren't for you. 

So...alternatives? There are lash growth serums available at drug stores and online that do give you longer lashes. These serums are full of  nutrients to speed up hair growth and look natural but longer! 

Standing out in MavySavvy

I'm always on the lookout for cute boutiques online for trendy attire that not everyone will have and wear; something that can reflect my personal style and uniqueness.  When I came across MavySavvy trend store, I was thrilled to find upscale products at a really great (and really affordable) price!

After checking back on their site for a week or so, I was happy to find new items and styles added daily!  Why? Mavy Savvy trend store is considered premium fast-fashion, which means its super affordable clothing that is affordable BUT to ensure uniqueness in your pieces, only a few of them are available for each item (YAY).  Not to worry that half your class or office will show up with the same top or dress, it's almost close to none of a possibility that you will run into someone wearing the same thing as you when shopping at MavySavvy.  Isn't that fab?!

Along with fast-fashion apparel, they also carry accessories, outerwear, swimwear, jewelry, bags, shoes, beauty and tech!

Intrigued? It get's better! Since it's the end of September, they are having a huge September sale with up to 40% off already super affordable prices.  My wallet is running a bit thin this month and I didn't want to shop it all since there is now low inventory, so make sure to check it out before you miss it!

*Sponsored Post

The #PerfectCardigan by Costello Tagliapietra

I love a good cardigan and I have much experience with all types of cardigans, in all colors, shapes and sizes. Thrifted, vintage, store bought and handmade, I know a good cardi when I see one. Meet the #PerfectCaridgan by Costello Tagliapietra.

Designers Jeffrey Costello & Robert Tagliapietra explain, “Our cardigans act as our security blankets and when our friends borrow them off our backs to throw over a dress at the end of an evening, we love how they too feel the same. We love the concept of the perfect cardigan, one that is genderless and meaningful for different situations- casual and elegant, easy yet beautiful.”


No matter your style, the versatility of this blazer will shine thru with however you choose to style it.

 DJ Mia Moretti

Makeup Artist, Artist, Model Niki M'nray

Sexxy with Soxxy Air

I never thought I would be writing about compression socks, like EVER, OR mentioning that compression socks and stylish could exist in the same sentence.  Behold, however, the moment has come...and why? I came across a company called Soxxy Air, known to be the only stylish compression sock that gives back, yes it supports your legs and supports a cause.

Put aside the ol' granny sock picture in your head, think about how YOU can stylishly wear these awesome socks. Travel a ton, they're great for when you're flying!  Also, great for sports, work, and the obvious of them all, for medical.

SoxxyAir - Support a Cause, Support Your Legs from sarah stabile on Vimeo.

What really excites me though about Soxxy, besides the multi-functional stylish sock, is that they give back, not to just one, but FIVE charities! You can support a cause and support your legs in a very stylish way, visit Indiegogo page for more info on how you can do that! The goal is $15K and so far a little under half of that has been raised!

Take a peek at the cute socks they offer, which are your fave? I have Orion Sox, a sock that benefits a scholorship fund specializing in a program that works to alleviate dyslexia and learning disabilities.

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NYFW: SKINGRAFT Fall 2014

Skingraft’s Fall 2014 collection is inspired by the idea of drastic climate change and an inevitable return to a dystopian survivalist future.

The collection pulls from Siberian , Mongolian, and artic tribal cultures who have adapted, thrived and built communities in harsh climates and severe conditions for centuries.

This artic inspiration is filtered through Skingraft’s signature nomadic streetwear lens and explores new fabrications including hand-quilted leather and mohair, shaved ponyhair, ribbed nylon-fused fleece and intricate embroideries detailed with leather and metal jewels.

For me, the fall collection is not just about survival in the harsh uncertanties of our world’s future, but rather it is about thriving and building new forms of self-expression and community once the infrustructure as-we-know-it is forced into question by our changing earth and a new opportunity is upn us. -Jonny Cota Skingraft Designer