TRAVEL GUIDE: 24 HOURS IN BOSTON

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Earlier this Summer I made a quick overnight trip to Boston. And I’m finally sharing my guide on things to do + where to eat + where to stay. This was my first time visiting Boston and I wasn’t sure what to expect. But I can say this, Boston was a place I could definitely see myself visiting again soon. It had the appeal of big city living but feels very quaint and easy going. Everyone I came in contact with was very friendly. And I kept finding myself saying the words: “I could live here.” I think that says a lot about a city that I’ve only spent 24 hours in. I probably should visit during Winter months before I make any plans on moving there, lol.

Boston Travel Guide


Where to Stay:

Airbnb - This ended up being the best option for a last minute trip. I was really shocked at how pricey hotels are in Boston. Maybe it was due to the time of year?! But we got really lucky and found a nice Airbnb in the South End area to stay for the one night.

South End is such a quaint and charming area. The streets are tree lined with beautiful Brownstones on each side. It’s an easily walkable area and there are lots of shops and restaurants nearby. I highly recommend staying in South End.

South End Boston

Where to Eat & Drink:

Barking Crab- This lively outdoor restaurant is a MUST! It’s casual dining with picnic table seating and views of the Boston Harbor. Order the hot crab dip and raw oysters. And the Frose to cool off!

Barcelona Wine Bar- Perfect spot for Dinner with friends or a Date Night Out! This tapas style restaurant is located in the South End. They have an extensive wine & cocktail menu. I recommend reservations, they are typically on a wait even on a weeknight. Order all the tapas (seriously) But definitely the mussels and charcuterie board.

Temazcal Cantina- Great spot to grab drinks in the Seaport District area. The restaurant is gorgeous on the inside and has amazing waterfront views of the Seaport.

Cafe Nero- Best coffee shop with even better coffee. Cafe Nero is a chain coffee shop with locations all over the city. I loved the coffee so much, I purchased 2 bags to bring home with me. Order the cold brew!

What to Do: 

China Town- Although it’s not the size of the one in New York City, it’s still a fun area to explore.

Downtown/Theatre District- Home of the Paramount Theatre and host of many Broadway Shows. A must see in person.

Copley Square- This area is where the Boston Public Library, Trinity Church and several other landmarks are located right in the heart of the city. Definitely one of the most picturesque parts of the city.

Seaport District- This is an new up and coming area with lost of restaurants, shops, art and where a lot of local events take place. You can also walk along the waterfront and see all the boats along the harbor.

Boston Public Gardens- A beautiful public park adjacent to Boston Common. And home to the famous Swan Boats.

So that’s my quick travel guide for Boston. I loved my stay there and would definitely go back and explore more of city. There is so much to see & do!

I’d love to hear from you if you’ve ever been to Boston! What would you recommend for my next visit there?! Comment below.

XO, Rae

TULA PROBIOTIC SKINCARE REVIEW

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TULA skincare

Now that I’m in my mid-thirties, I’ve been taking skincare more seriously over the past few years. And I’m always looking for NEW products/brands to try in attempt to perfect my skincare regimen. So, when I kept seeing TULA all over Instagram and everyone was raving about it, I was intrigued to learn more. What initially caught my attention was that, TULA products are made with probiotics. And knowing what an important role probiotics can play in our bodies internally, I realized that they could equally be as great when it comes to our skin.


My skin type is combination; oily in warmer months and dryer during winter months. Especially with living in New York City and being exposed to the sun and pollution daily, I find that I need to change up skincare routine often. So a little over a month ago, I ordered my first TULA 14-day trial kit that included four different products. Unfortunately, this kit is no longer available online. However, I was able to find this one that’s similar and is also a starter kit with four products to try (also includes a cosmetic bag).

TULA Pinterest graphic

After using TULA skincare products over the past few weeks, I have definitely noticed a difference in my skin overall. Today, I’m sharing my honest review of the products I used.

Purifying Cleanser- This has quickly become one of my favorite cleansers. I use it daily, both A.M. & P.M. It’s gentle but effective in removing makeup. It has a light scent that smells AMAZING! I love how this cleanser leaves my face feeling fresh and clean without drying my skin out. It’s been great with my sensitive skin. And a small amount of product goes a long way.

Pro-Glycolic 10% pH Resurfacing Gel- I tend to have oily skin especially in warmer months. So using a toner is essential in my skincare routine. I love how this toner is alcohol-free, so it doesn't feel harsh at all on my skin. After cleansing my skin, I apply a small pump of product to my entire face using a cotton pad. This resurfacing gel has helped improve and even my skin tone and minimize oil build up.

Revitalizing Eye Cream- Initially I was applying the eye cream twice a day, however I found it to be not as absorbent when applying makeup over it in the morning. So, then I tried applying it just at night and letting it absorb while I was sleeping. And it definitely made my under eyes feel more hydrated in the morning. I also noticed my eyes were not as puffy after waking up.

Hydrating Day & Night Cream- I love how hydrating this cream is. It definitely helps to bring skin back to life and gives you a natural glow. And I like that it’s a day & night cream all in one. I think this will be one of my go-to creams during winter months to keep my skin hydrated from the wind and cold temps.

TULA skincare


What makes TULA different from other skincare brands?

  • Probiotics are used as the base ingredient for all products.

  • Products are 100% free from phthalates, parabens, propylene glycol, petrolatum, gluten and mineral oil.

  • They are cruelty free.

TULA skincare

This is NOT a sponsored post. All opinions are my own. This is a brand I truly love and wanted to share my honest review of products used.

XO, Rae

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SEPHORA VIB SALE 2018

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Sephora VIB SALE 2018

Happy Sunday!! Starting this LDW weekend off by stocking up on some of my favorite beauty products. If you haven’t heard already, SEPHORA is having their Beauty Insider Appreciation SALE for all Beauty Insiders, which is their loyalty savings program. If you're not a Beauty Insider, don't worry! It's FREE and super easy to Sign Up. But hurry, the SALE ends Monday Sept. 3rd!

ROUGE: 20% OFF - USE CODE YESROUGE

VIB: 15% OFF- USE CODE YESVIB

INSIDER: 10% OFF-USE CODE YESINSIDER

I’m sharing some of my go-to products & a few NEW products I'm excited to try!

SEPHORA VIB SALE 2018

 

Favorites to Stock Up On

 

Urban Decay Naked Skin Concealer- I only use two brands of concealers, and this is one of them. This concealer is great for everyday use. It gives full coverage, is buildable and lightweight. And I love the applicator. If you're looking for a brightening concealer, try this one. 

It cosmetic CC+ Cream w/ SPF 50- I’m not big on foundation so this has been my all time favorite product that I use daily. It gives you light coverage almost like foundation without the heavy cakey feel. And gives you a natural look plus evens out your skin tone & has SPF 50. I wear the shade Light. If you buy ONE thing from the Sale, buy this! 

NARS Velvet Matte Lipstick Pencils- In the colors: Dolce Vita (dusty rose) and Cruella (deep red). These are two of my go-to lip colors for Fall. I love these lip pencils because they're rich velvety colors that apply smoothly and last for hours. If you haven't tried NARS lip products, you NEED to!

Tarte Double Take Eyeliner- I've been using this eyeliner for awhile now. The cool thing about this eyeliner is that it's double ended giving you a pencil and liquid. So you can easily use it for daytime and nighttime looks, depending on what type of look you're going for.  

Tarte Toasted Eyeshadow Palette- My favorite eyeshadow palette! The colors are warm, super pigmented and long lasting. I love the color combinations within the palette and the shades are perfect for everyday or dramatic evening looks.

St. Tropez Gradual Tan Everyday Tinted Lotion- I love this tanning lotion because it gives me just enough color without looking fake. It can be applied everyday and is buildable depending on how dark you're going for. And because it's a lotion formula, it also hydrates your skin. I like to apply it right out of the shower and then let it dry while I'm doing my makeup. Who says you can't be tan all year long?! 

 

 

 New Products to Try

 

Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask- This has been on my list of skincare products to try, for awhile now! It's a hydrating face mask for all skin types that's supposed to be like a drink of water for your tired, stressed-out skin. Need I say more?! It's been featured all over the internet as well as major magazines and seems to be a beauty favorite for many. Excited to try it out for myself and see what the hype is all about. 

Kopari Coconut Deodorant- Recently, I started making the switch to natural deodorant and so far, I haven't found one that works for me. So, when I found out that Kopari (a brand I already love) has their own natural deodorant, I knew I had to try it! So this will most definitely be added to my cart! 

Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz- I was NOT blessed with eyebrows. I'm always on the hunt for a great eye brow pencil and this one comes highly recommended! With a retractable tip on one end and a brush on the other. It's also smudge-proof and comes in a wide range of shades.

Briogeo Don't Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Hair Mask- Since I have color treated hair, I like to do at home hair treatments to keep my hair from looking dry and dull. This weekly treatment restores your hair's moisture and helps to prevent future damage. I'm already a fan of Briogeo's leave in conditioning spray, so I'm excited to try their hair mask.  

 

Tell me what's on your MUST HAVE Sephora Shopping list!!  Comment below. 

 

Xo, Rae