Do you ever feel like you just wish you knew the French girls' secret to always looking sophisticated? They are the epitome of chic but it always feel hard to pin down their magic. Their secret? Simplicity! It's the ultimate element of sophistication, especially when it comes to beauty. You'll never seen a Parisian woman with coifed hair AND full make up. She always leaves something natural and understated. It's what gives the French woman a casual cool look while still remaining put together. Here are my favorite French-style beauty tips.

START FROM WITHIN 

You may be tempted to skip right to the make up and hair, but French style beauty starts from within. Drinking plenty of water, eating your dark greens, and a variety of fresh foods help your skin and hair glow and grow strong. Drinking more water is a the first key step to looking your best though!

SUNSCREEN AND SKINCARE

French women aren't as quick to get botox or fillers as we Americans when it comes to aging. They know the importance of aging gracefully! The best anti-aging method is preventative: sunscreen! Regularly wearing facial sunblock-particularly in the summer and winter-can help protect your skin from irreversible damage. Parisian women also swear by regular facials and exfoliating.* I like to do weekly or biweekly gentle scrubs and a spa or at home facial at least once or twice a month. Also be sure to give your face regular depuffing massages with ice or cool rollers. *Be especially sure to apply sunscreen after these treatments as it leaves your thin skin vulnerable.

AIR DRY

The French girl's signature hairdo is "upgraded air-dried." To prevent frizz be sure to deep condition in your hair beforehand. If the hair shaft has enough moisture it is less likely to be frizzy. Don't towel dry your hair like they show in the movies! I use Aquis Microfiber Hair Towel  for my wavy-curly hair and it reduces the frizz and drying time in half. This isn't just "another product" for you to buy. It really works for me. (Not an ad!) Finish your styling with the best product for your hair type. I like to braid my hair with a hair serum or natural oil at the tips if I have time to get extra smooth waves. 

LIGHT MAKE UP

I've read and seen this one everywhere: French women just don't really wear foundation. That, to me, has seemed like an American trademark. Full make up, manicure, and heat styled hair is how to spot an American girl. Our Parisian counterparts are much more partial to using coverup if they need it-but otherwise wear very light make up with their own signature daily look. Mine own is to typically* skip the foundation and concealer completely (at most I'll do a tinted moisturizer), groom and fill in the parts of my eyebrows that don't grow due to scars, put on mascara, and always wear lipstick. If I only have time for one thing I always choose lipstick as it looks like I put on make up and made a fun choice for myself. Try it out! It can take some getting used to but your skin (and morning routine) will thank you! *Typically refers to my usual day. For photoshoots, big meetings, or special events I do a full face of make up and feel quite glamorous! 

AU NATURAL

The French beauty industry has different regulations than we do in the states and you'll find their products typically are more "au natural" and promote organic beauty. I love using products that I can recognize and easily read the sourcing and ingredients list. Our skin is our largest organ and it seems to make sense to care about what it absorbs into our bodies. I love to stick to clean, minimal products and reduce my getting ready time. For instance: I use facial oil additionally for my frizzy hair, make up remover, night mask, and leg moisturizer if I need to. I love brands like Herbivore that are vegan, cruelty free, and clean. (Not an ad either!) Just like using it.

Here are some great clean, multitasking products you could consider in your daily French style routine: 

• I love Herbivore's Rose Hibiscus Hydrating Face Mist for everyday use but especially while I travel or during the winter to give my skin a quick hydrating spritz. Can also be used as a toner, make up setting spray, and refreshing mist.
• Facial Roller - Improves elasticity of the skin, reduces appearance of puffiness and fine lines, eases facial muscle tension, and helps product absorb better. 
• 2in1 Lip and Cheek Stain - A hydrating cream formula that gives a hint of color to lips and cheeks.
• Glossier Body Wash - Body wash with oil that moisturizes as you shower (no post shower dry off, lotion up, wait to dry before getting dressed situation!). Plus it can bonus as a shaving cream. 
• Coconut Oil - Buy it anywhere these days! It's a dry oil, so it gets absorbed quickly (aka: leaves behind a glow, not shine). Use it for facial or body moisturizer, shaving cream, lip balm, hair mask, hair frizz serum, and make up remover. Honestly, just google, Coconut Oil beauty and you'll have a list so long you'll run out of oil before you do things to do with it. 
• Vitamin E Oil E-Stick - moisturize your lips, use an under eye cream, and prevents scarring from burns and small cuts. 
• Orchid Facial Oil (pictured in this post) contains floral oils makes your skin all dewy and hydrated. Formulated for all skin types in need of hydration and protection against visible signs of aging (Hurray!).

Happy International Women's Day! Women's Day (March 8) is a global day recognizing the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. For me the day also means celebrating being a woman and lifting up others who identify as women. I partnered with Kara, from The Whimsey Soul, for a photoshoot that to promote body positivity and "show how differences are our strengths and flaws aren’t flaws, flaws are just being human!"
I will explore more of my personal history another time in another post but I have experienced weight fluctuation of over 80lbs in my adult life-going from emaciated to putting on so much weight I had trouble walking uphill. I strived for what I believed was the perfect aesthetic. I used food to either punish or reward myself. I have treated myself as if I was an enemy, a thing to be policed. I have allowed outside influences to tell me what my worth is and what I should or shouldn't cover up.

All this to say, when Kara reached out asking to promote healthy self-esteem I was equally excited and terrified:

"Who am I to promote a healthy mentality when I have had such an abusive relationship with myself?"

But then Rupi Kaur's poem came to mind:

 "I stand on the sacrifices of a million women before me, thinking...'what can I do to make this mountain taller so women after me can see farther?'"  

And instead of thinking of my lack of qualifications and making it about me I thought, "What can I share to make this better for other women?"
I'll start by going against my instinct to shy away from talking about what haunts me: my own issues with my body and how I view myself. It's my a way of building up the mountain for other women, while breaking down the walls that society has set up for us. As a woman, I am used to my body being seen as an extension of who I am and my worth. It has (regularly) been evaluated, classified, regulated, and weaponized against me. However, the truth is we don't have to be anything society tells us to be: quiet, modest, sexy, a "Lady in Red, a "Lady in Waiting" for our prince, married to our spouses or our careers, caregivers... You can be whomever you need to be and love it.

The real lie is that being whatever they say we should be isn’t enough either. Society is playing a sick game where the “perfect woman” doesn't exist. For a long time I believed my "best life" and "best body" were just inside me somewhere waiting to be set free. I let it affect my real life and diminish its richness. I stayed home. I didn't post pictures of my present body. I didn't wear ____ because I knew it would be better someday when I was prettier. I didn't do ____ because I wasn't in the shape I wanted to be. I didn't apply to jobs because I no longer felt good enough. So if you are reading this and thinking the lie, "Well it's easy for ____ to feel that way because they look/are like that. But I can't." don't! Don’t let these deceptions dictate what you do. 

So while I don't want to make Women's Day solely about our bodies (we already have enough issues with this in the media) I needed to share this because this is where I am. This is what I can contribute right now. Body positivity is so much more than "Women's Day" or our appearances. It's a representation of ourselves that isn't simple and it actively impacts our self-perception, emotions, and core governing beliefs. It is my lack of body positivity that has held me back from breaking down other barriers and fighting for myself. SO I wanted to call out these lies for what they are so you can take them off your plate and go build the mountain taller for the rest of us. 

• Lift other women up and stop "fat-talking" about yourself or others. 
• Care for yourself. Do something today that takes care of you-even if it's small. 
• Try to look at yourself in the mirror with an uncritical eye, as if you are your (very supportive and loving) best friend, and be kind. Find something you love about yourself and celebrate that. (For me, it's my darker coloring from my mother that signifies our heritage). 

Remember, you are still you - no matter what state your body is in. There isn't a thinner, younger looking woman waiting inside to live your best life. You are whole and you should love who you are and where you are. It's okay to have goals and want to grow (that's a part of self care). However, also know it's okay to feel good now. Celebrate yourself now. Don't hide away until "one day." Today is now. Love is now. Now go out and kick ass and take names!

PS: I would love to point out that I jumped over a fire hydrant in tight cotton jeans. This is my greatest physical feat yet.

Lake   Tahoe is a perfect destination for skiers and snow boarders. Northstar is my favorite ski resort so far around this glorious lake when it transforms into a Snow Covered Wonderland. You can enjoy the snow, s'mores and cozy fires, spa treatments, views of snow capped mountains while swimming in heated pools, and so much more!  
With it being a mere three hour drive from the Bay Area it's the perfect weekend getaway. Here is a bit about my experience while staying at the Ritz-Carlton and Northstar Resort in Lake Tahoe, the Sierra treasure situated at 6,223 feet on the border of California and Nevada. 

Ski Season:
First off, you should know that skiing in Tahoe isn't limited to winter! With the abundance of snow this year the ski resorts are extending their seasons. Northstar is planning to stay open until end of April, while Squaw Valley predicts their season will go until June. I plan on going back a couple of times before the end of season to get as much snow time as I can! 

• Cortez is known for its fresh seafood and small plates with changing tropical cocktails that respect the restaurant's Mexican-American heritage. Recent James Beard Award nominee-Executive Chef Oscar Diaz's menu is a reflection of weekly selected local farm fresh produce and seafood.

• Casual yet elevated good eats. The food is simply gorgeous and eat plate is a work of art. For what you get it's affordable and in the middle ($$) for refined foods. 

Fox Liquor Bar

• This underground bar, featuring classic and artisanal cocktails, is the creation of James Beard Award-winner chef Ashley Christensen. The dark red patina walls and candlelit atmosphere will make you think you're in a old southern speakeasy. 

Foundation

• I have spent many a night here! You'll have to look for the red neon "Foundation" sign at the bottom of its staircase to spot this basement gem. Celebrating their 10yr anniversary this year-Foundation has been a pioneer for Raleigh's cocktail scene as the oldest craft bar in Raleigh. (PS: They are known for their bourbons).

Bittersweet

• My favorite dessert bar EVER (See my experience of Negroni Week at Bittersweet)! 2019 will be their 5th year of serving scrumptious goodies, classic and contemporary cocktails, and coffee. Its seasonal menu is all natural and primarily local. BONUS: They have specialty events (wine classes and gin clubs to educate the public on the bountiful products available to them) and themed drinks + dessert movie nights. (PS: They are known for their gin and their next gin club starts April 28th!) 

• This gorgeous tiny little wine bar in city market is newer to Raleigh. It's adorable and in addition to an extensive list of cocktails, wines, and apertifs, Apéro offers a rotating selection of snacks, smalls plates, and desserts (locals say they have the best charcuterie board in town!). PS: They specialize in low alcohol by volume cocktails (aka, you won't get sloshed but can drink many tasty delights!). 

PLAY: .

Buying secondhand and vintage clothes isn't exclusive to the broke student anymore (though that may be where many of us got our start). I, personally, began my secondhand buyer journey very early in life. Many early Saturday mornings were spent rummaging garage sales or thrifts shops with my mother as young as four years old. I'd take my allowance and my mother would help guide me and teach me to barter for China-dolls, pogs, and a pair of light up Disney Pocahontas velcro sneakers. This developed over the years and my appreciation for excellent vintage blossomed. By my teens my eye and skill for finding and styling well-made clothing or home goods became an art. Not only was it all I could afford (my family had extreme financial difficulties during this time) but it allowed me to creatively express myself. 

The Secondhand & Vintage Shopper's Ten Commandments: 

6. Holiday Light Tour
Let your local Clark Griswold wanna-be get the attention he deserves! While some places may charge for you to drive through their light displays: I prefer the simple suburban classic of driving through snazzy neighborhoods and looking at lights. This is how, years ago, we discovered Christmas Tree Lane (or Fulton Street in the off-season) in Palo Alto. For the two weeks leading up to Christmas you can drive or walk through this display to see carolers, vintage lawn displays and lights, lights and more lights. Free: Fulton Street between Embarcadero Ave. and Seale Rd. Palo Alto, CA (Dec. 15-31)