Let it Go*

 

With so much to do in a seemingly short amount of time, it is easy to get absorbed by the stresses and anxieties that come with the holiday season. Which is why it is important to set time aside in the interests of your personal health. Here are some of the ways I keep myself healthy and thriving during finals week, holiday shopping, and new years’ resolutions:

1)     Induge in afternoon Tea: Science has finally proved what my grandma has known for years – that tea is a miracle worker for the body. Experiment with new refreshing flavors of tea and let the flavors dissipate your stress and ground you in the present moment. Sip sip sip

2)     Try something new: Engage your body in a new, fun, physical activity to stimulate your brain and relieve stress. I am a Yoga fanatic, but a lot of my friends prefer cycling, zumba, and hiking. 

3)      Invest in new scents: You may have heard the phrase “you are who you surround yourself with”, but you are also what you surround yourself with. It is important to maintain a living environment that reflects your ideal state of mind. A quick and easy way to accomplish this is by investing in a new scent, such as a new perfume, body wash, and candles. You’d be surprised how your body reacts to a new invigorating scent.

xoxo

msangiesegura

#FlauntFallFavorites: Lace & Leather

Lately I've been looking to the past for daily style tips in hopes of drawing unique inspiration from the greats such as Audrey Hepburn, Elizabeth Taylor, and Marilyn Monroe. I purchased Cally Blackman's 100 Years of Fashion at the start of my freshman year of college, and I must admit it is the main reason why I have managed to keep my style classy and chic while constantly on the go.

 "a girl should be two things, classy & fabulous"

I have found that both Lace and Leather have been two prevalent looks throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries. After seeing all of The Flaunt Shop's most popular items, it isn't difficult to see why.

Lace is classic and feminine, while Leather is bold and edgy - and together they can transform your daily look with minimal effort and the most fabulous results   ;)

here are my #FlauntFallFavorites

Leatherette Leggings

I just got these in the mail last week and received a record amount of compliments. These leggings serve a similar function as your everyday black leggings, except with an edgy twist! Leather is for the bold and confident, I challenge you to give these a try!

High-Waisted Leatherette Skirt

I love the versatility of this one, the fact that it's leather makes it trendy and badass in my opinion - I can't imagine a scenario where wearing this skirt would be a bad idea,

Cocktails with the girls? Dinner with the fam? Business meeting? Job interview? Date Night? it all works.




This Kandice Jacket is absolutely STUNNING. Show Stopping, without a doubt.

If you’re nervous about testing the waters with leather, try dipping your toes in lace first! I am one of the biggest girly girls you will ever meet, so lace seems like a no brainer to me. But if you have yet to fall in love with lace, and you're wondering how to incorporate it into your daily wardrobe without seeming overly dressed up, I'd say detailing is the perfect way to compromise. Go for a loose chic top with lace patterns across the shoulders or on the sleeves, like this over the shoulder Anabelle Lace Top in black, ivory, and coral <3 <3 <3

I’d wear this fabulous top with my usual skinny jeans and a pair of pointed-toe flats for a more casual look, and dress it up with a leggings and heels . 

And last but definitely not least, this gorgeous MADE TO LOVE dress!

In order to create the image of the fatal woman, you will need to pair some black lace with stiletto black heels.

How will you flaunt it in lace & leather this holiday season?

xoxo 

@msangiesegura

love & loss.

I  keep saying that whatever was/is between us is over now,
but how do I say goodbye?

I like to explore all the possibilities, both constructive and destructive
but ultimately I have found that love always says more about the ones who feel it rather than the ones that they love.

I have learned to accept the fact that I am a woman who believes in the love. The type of love that endures.
Love that is treasurable because it is polished in pain.

That is why I am so confounded by the act of goodbye.
to me, goodbye's mark an end  of some sort
& I am frustrated by our need to categorize everything in terms of a beginning, middle, and end
because the mere idea that we can ever experience someone in their entirety is, quite frankly, stupid.
There are so many layers to each and every one of us that should not never be reduced.

which brings me to my next question:

Can you ever stop loving someone?
if so, how can you be sure it was love at all?


if there is love between two people, it is there forever and you should expect to carry it with you for the rest of your life.

so tell me, why do you insist on making this a goodbye ?


xoxo
@msangiesegura

#FlauntFallFavorites: Handbags

When I think fall I think pumpkin spice latte's and shopping,
one of the first items I look for is a cute tote (such as the adorable aztec clutch & Allie Handbag as shown above).
Fall requires a new handbag,
but finding the perfect piece of arm candy is never easy.
The fall handbag DEFINES your fall look,
determining what you wear, how you wear it, and who notices ;)

that is why I have compiled a list of my #FlauntFallFavorites,
 to make sure you ladies end 2014 with a BANG

first on my list is the Allie Bag (above)
my guilty pleasure
this ___ tote is perfect for daily essentials
but can also manage a few extra shopping excursions along the way

The Chelsea Bag (as shown on the right) is ideal for everyday use. It isn't difficulty to see how gorgeous it is during the week and the weekends. A sound investment in my book.


The Envy Bag 
is eye grabbing
with a lavish tote like this who needs accessories?!
Perfect for nights out AND running errands;
can you imagine headed to yoga or the grocery store with this?
Even in yoga pants and oversized sweaters,
this handbag will make you look and feel like a star.

You know what they say, behind every successful women is a FABULOUS handbag ;)



The Amanda Handbag in classic black is really so much more than your average handbag - its simple and comfortable feel really evokes this "i woke up like dis" vibe #flawless. Perfect for the overachieving girls with part time jobs, stellar grades, and a fabulous wardrobe*

One of the greatest pieces of advice I received in high school as from my best friend after powderpuff practice, I was upset over a boy and quite frankly I was desperate to ensure a prom date when she interrupted my rant and said: "stop crying, get yourself a new handbag & GET OVER IT"
It may seem like a superficial argument, but every now and then I fall in love with a handbag and realize the underlying truth in her advice... It feels nice to stop carrying our hearts on our sleeves when we invest in our overall happiness by toting bigger & better handbags, like the Society and Always Business handbags from The Flaunt Shop! <3

Which is your favorite?

#handbagsB4douchebags

xoxo

@msangiesegura

#FlauntFallFavorites: Glitter

   

there's no doubt that 2014' hottest fall trend

is all that glitters(as shown above. $39)

which is great because these eye grabbing outfits can give us the confidence to dominate the spotlight.

as always, *The Flaunt Shop* has us covered! here are some of my #flauntfallfavorites:

First things first, besides IGGY being the realest,

the Unattainable dress from TFS is GOLD. 

the true inspiration behind V Justice's song "Gold", the Unattainable dress is telling us

"if you want me like I want you, than man up and make your move - 'cause I'm G O L D"

The rest of these items from The Flaunt Shop perfectly embody t. swift lyrics, 

take a look for yourself ;)

"I see sparks fly whenever you smile"

Evening Getaway Dress: $64 (Also available in NAVY)

"You're eyes whispered 'have we met?' across the room your silhouette starts to make its way to me"

 

Grand Entrance: $50

"This night is sparkling, don't you let it go"

crystal collar necklace $20 / golden era necklace: $20

"I'm wonderstruck, dancing around all alone

I'll spend forever wondering if you knew,

I was enchanted to meet you"

Merlot shimmer dress $60

"He said the way my blues eyes shined, put those georgia stars to shame that night

… I said 'that's a lie' "

sparkle of his eye top: $30

"When you think happiness, I hope you think that little black dress."

born to sparkle: $35

There you have it ladies! Make sure to keep an eye out for new arrivals every Friday at www.theflauntshop.com for more eye dazzling items!

don't forget: sparks could fly if you aren't careful ;)


xoxo

@msangiesegura

Stay tonight

"Guess it's true, I'm not good at a one-night stand"

The moment I send that text message to you, I regretted it. Because I knew it was only going to last for tonight and why should I want something I was inevitably going to lose? Take a taste of something and want more when it will never be given to me. You were not my disposable boy. You were the one I kept wanting, returning to with hopes of spending mornings together, cuddling in bed, wrapped warmly in your arm. And the stark reality was that you always left. Rationality would tell me to move on and forget about you. Which idiot will wait for someone who always left?

But the message was sent. And I sat in my room, in the dark, waiting.

"These nights never seem to go to plan" 

I planned my actions in those few minutes before I heard your footsteps outside of my door. Moments where I will have the upper hand, the scene where I was supposed to be stronger and wiser. But the knock on the door brought back the trepidation and fear. For months, we haven't been alone or talking and I was unsure and uncertain. How would you act? How would I act?

There was a slight hesitation, as I wonder if I could flee and run away from seeing you, our confrontation of meeting face to face. But that will make me a coward. And so my pride moved my feet across the room and my hands slowly unlocked the door to show your face.

The speeches I had practiced were gone and I could only look and wonder. Where have we gone wrong? How could I attempt to move on from this? You leaned forward with that same smirk on your face that hasn't changed those couple of months and whispers, "What can I do for you?"

I reached for your collar but quickly drew my hand back. Because that wasn't supposed to happen in the scenario I had imagined and practiced. We were supposed to have a conversation where I can find closure and move on. Nothing physical was supposed to happen. I wasn't supposed to use you and have you use me, too. But when you leaned in and placed your lips on mine, I surrendered and my original plans were left ripped, thrown away and scattered.

"Why am I so emotional?
No, it's not a good look, gain some self-control"

I remember the glances, your hands accidentally grazing mine, the teasing that happened throughout the day that had created anticipation for tonight. You grab my hand, leading me and I follow without a single protest.

You reach for that place on my neck, then the little dip in my hip. You do it too perfectly and I'm left vulnerable and open to you. I tried to be more stoic, have more control as I tried to hold back the whimpers and gasps. But you know too much and I lost control. My hands are running through your hair, down your back and I can only give in. I feel alive again, as my feelings for you which had almost died away, suddenly becomes rekindled and burns even more intensely.
 
"And deep down I know this never works
But you can lay with me so it doesn't hurt"

But soon the intensity fades and we are left again with our mess of a relationship. The undefined lines are once again even more blurred and the awkwardness begins to creeps in. The self doubts, questions that had been lingering for the past few months kicks in and is about to pop the bubble of pleasure, content and happiness we have been in for a brief moment in time.

I reach for your hand, a feeble attempt to ask you to stay for one last night. I beg into your eyes and desperately scan your face for some sign that you feel something for me too, that what we have is tangible, real. But instead, I'm faced with your half truths and lies and I know that reality has settled in. I see you brusquely putting back on your pants, your shoes and your shirt.

You note the pleas in my gaze but accuse me of manipulating you to stay. And so I lie saying what just occurred was meaningless. And as a final say, I must throw back a retort for the sake of my pride.
"After all, what more should I have expected from you?"

And your last two sentences provide me the closure I have so yearned but the heartbreak I have so wanted to escape from.

"This is exactly what you should have expected from me."
"This won't happen again."

"This ain't love, it's clear to see
But darling, stay with me"

 I lie back in bed, trying to be comforted by the warm cocoon of my blanket as we both return back to where we have started, as if what just happened a mere moment ago was a long-forgotten dream. I close my eyes, determined to hide my tears until you leave. As I wait for the long seconds to pass, I feel your lips against mine, again but knowing it was for the last time. And with the realization, I feel the urge, the desire, the need to make it last and so I hold on to you tight but you're already slipping away. I tell myself that you're a cruel person, to leave me with your name on my lips.

And you left me, in the dark with the room still lingering with "us" but quickly disappearing and evolving to the fragmented "you" and "me". But I want you to know that you didn't just left. You left with the scent of my perfume, the small marks on your neck and your tousled hair. And for tonight, I did something you couldn't do. I stayed with you.

xoxo
Blair

in the woods

This past weekend my family went on a 3 day camping trip to lake casitas in northern California, and let me just say that after spending two nights in the middle of nowhere with minimal reception and limited hygenic options - I was grateful I had prepared a princess camping kit; which I am glad to share with you all now. 

Princess Mini Camping Essentials 

* BB Cream: This handy product serves as daily sunblock all the while diminishing imperfections, leaving you with a beautiful effortless look that is perfect for a weekend getaway in the woods! Personally I prefer Garnier's Age Renewal BB Cream and Maybelline Dream Fresh BB Cream for acne prone skin.

*  Sunglasses: Not only does wearing sunglasses protect your eyes from the suns UV Rays - but it also upgrades your look from crusty to glam in a matter of seconds! #winning With or without makeup, as long as you keep your favorite shades in your back pocket, you are guaranteed to look fab. 

* Face Wipes: Typically when you go camping, you will find that there are few places and/or opportunities to wash you face and take a shower. Thus, it is of insurmountable importance that you bring a package of facial wipes with you to avoid going to bed with make-up on and maintain a fresh clean look at all times. Even if you do not plan on wearing make-up on your outdoor adventure - you must also consider the fact that you are spending a large amount of time surrounded by / sleeping in dirt, and you do not want your face to pay the consequences!!

*  Versatile Outfits: If there's one thing I know about camping, it is to always expect the unexpected. You are at the mercy of mother nature out there, and she doesn't always play nice. That is why it is super important that you pack cute, versatile outfits that can be worn in rain or shine! 

wish you the best out there in the woods babes, enjoy those s'mores!

xoxo

@msangiesegura