5 BEAUTY PRODUCTS WORTH TRYING: JANUARY

Today on the blog, I’m starting a new monthly series that will feature favorited beauty products including skincare, makeup & beauty tools. Now days with so many products on the market, it can be hard deciding which ones are worthy of spending your money on. So, each month I’ll be testing and trying out 5 beauty products and giving you my honest opinion of them. This way you can hopefully find some new products to try for yourself or recommend for a friend. And if you have any products you want me to try, let me know in the comments below and i’ll add them to my must try list to review.

Here are 5 beauty products from this month that have become part of my beauty & skincare routine.

TULA PURIFYING FACE CLEANSER

I’ve been using this face cleanser for the past 6+ months and it’s a game changer. TULA products are actually healthier for your skin because they contain probiotics. I love how this cleanser actually cleans your skin and removes makeup without leaving any residue or causing irritation. Although it is pricey ($28), it last awhile so you actually save money in the long run. I use a dime size amount to wash my face in the morning and right before I go to bed every night. I’ve had my current bottle for about 3 months now and still have some left.

IT COSMETICS BYE BYE UNDER EYE CREAM

I’m a huge fan of iTcosmetics. I’ve purchased several of their products and use their CC cream daily. I was originally using their Confidence in an Eye Cream, but recently discovered that they came out with this new eye cream. Which targets puffiness and dark circles, something that I struggle with. I’ve been using it the past few weeks and have noticed a huge difference. I love that I can use this cream day and night and it instantly gives my eyes a refreshed look. Bye Bye dark circles + bags!

URBAN DECAY ALL NIGHTER SETTING POWDER

This was gifted to me by a friend who had tried this setting powder and LOVED it! So naturally she thought I would love it as well. And she was right! I was surprised to see that it’s a compact powder and not a loose setting powder. But after initial application, I was impressed how flawless it applied on my skin. And being that it’s compacted, it doesn’t leave you with fall out on your face. And the best part is that it’s waterproof, so you don’t have to worry about your makeup running in the rain or humid weather. I’ve been using this setting powder daily and continue to be impressed with it’s long lasting coverage.

JADE ROLLER ROSE QUARTZ

Chances are you’ve probably seen the newest trend of Jade Rolling your face. And I admit, I was skeptical at first. But after experiencing constant puffiness in my under eye area and face every morning, I was willing to try anything. And after spotting one at TJ MAXX, I decided to give it a try. I immediately noticed a difference just after one use. I like to place my jade roller in the freezer for a few minutes, then use it in the mornings after applying my eye cream and moisturizer. There are many benefits of jade rolling including; reducing puffiness, dark circles and fine lines, also promotes blood circulation and lymphatic drainage. The one I linked is from Amazon, however you can often find them at your local Marshalls or TJ Maxx.

KOPARI DEODORANT

Over the past few months I’ve been making the switch to using natural deodorant. And after several failed attempts with other brands, I finally decided to try Kopari. And after 3 weeks of using it, I haven’t looked back. It’s the only natural deodorant that has worked best for my skin and has lasted all day. It applies easily, has a light coconut scent and I can go all day without having to reapply. After all, it was voted Best of Beauty by Allure Magazine in 2018.

What beauty products have you tried lately that you love?! Tell me in the comments below.

SHOP PRODUCTS:

XO, Rae

HOW TO KEEP YOUR FRIENDS CLOSER WHEN IT FEELS LIKE DISTANCE IS TAKING OVER

Photography by: Lauren Lucile Creative

If you’ve ever moved long distance away from friends, chances are you’ve experienced what it’s like to maintain those friendships. And more often than not, you may have even had some faded friendships due to the strain of the distance. When I moved to New York a little over 4 years ago, I was anxious to leave my friends behind for that exact reason.  And being that most of my friends were ones that I had met in my late twenties and early thirties, I was more determined than ever to hold on those friendships. I knew distance would play a factor, but I wanted to do whatever I could on my part to keep my closest girlfriends in my life. Because these wen’t just acquaintances, these were friendships in which we had all been through life’s highs and lows together. And when in you’re in your 30’s, good friends are hard to come by.

And like any relationship, I think if you can withstand the distance long term then you know those are your people. And luckily for me, distance has actually made my friendships stronger. Mostly due to the fact that we all make an effort to stay in touch. With that being said, it is a huge commitment for us to maintain friendships even though we are miles apart. It’s not easy and I definitely can feel like I’m missing out in their everyday lives sometimes. And because I know many of you may have in the past or currently experiencing this in your own friendships. I wanted to share some ways in which you can keep your friends closer even at a distance.

Image via Pinterest

Make a phone call/text

How many times do we say to friends;  “I’ve been thinking about you and just haven’t had a chance to call you”? Next time you have that thought, STOP and CALL that person. Because chances are if you don’t do it then, you’ll forget to later. If you’re not able to call, I personally love the voice message feature on iPhone that allows you to send a recorded voicemail via text message. It’s more personal than a text and easier to send when you don’t have a lot of time.  And if you’re not a phone person or maybe time in your day doesn’t allow for a phone call,  send a quick text just to say “I’m thinking of you, Let’s catch up soon!”. Or send a funny meme that you know your friend will get a laugh at. A simple message can help you and your friend be on each other’s radar, so to speak. This way it starts the conversation. And then you both can can be in touch to follow up on plans to have that catch up sesh you’ve been meaning to make time for.

Connect over FaceTime

Sometimes we just need that more personal connection with our friends especially if you don’t get to see them in person often. FaceTime or Video chat gives you both more of an opportunity to share real things going on in your lives.  And it also gives you a visual of what that looks like whether it be their home life or day to day life. You can even schedule a virtual wine night once a week/month to make it feel like you’re “hanging out” in person. Seeing each other over video helps you both to feel like you’re able to still have quality time together even miles apart.

Schedule a specific date and time to catch up

Discuss a specific date and/or time every week or month to talk over the phone. This will hold you both accountable and more likely to make good on the promise to catch up. Even if life gets busy and something comes up on that specific date, make an effort to reschedule to a new date & time right away.  We all have busy lives and realistically it can be hard to always make time for phone calls with friends. But I find that this helps to keep the momentum going by setting a specific goal.

Ask Questions/Be Present

This is so important, especially when you might not get to catch up as often as you used to. When in conversation, make sure to ask your friend detailed questions. Ask about their job, kids, significant others, passion projects and any other relevant things going on in their lives. Asking specific questions helps to get a feel of their every day life and the current events that they are experiencing. It’s all about making the most out of the time that you do have when catching up via phone, FaceTime or even text. The more thoughtful your questions are, it will help make you  both feel invested in each other’s lives. And it also leaves you with follow up questions for the next conversation.

Send a note

Sending cards to friends is a great way to show them that you’re thinking of them. And it doesn’t have to be for any particular reason other than just saying, HELLO.  Handwritten notes are one of those things that always make you feel special when received by a friend. But if you have limited time and want something that is easy to send with a note attached, I love using INK cards. An app that allows you to send custom greeting cards straight from your cell phone. Sometimes the simplest gesture is the most appreciated.

Plan a trip in person

This may be a little harder to do with busy schedules, but I think it’s important to try and make an effort to have real face to face time. Make a plan to visit each other at least once a year. Or if you live really far away from one another, try to pick somewhere you can meet in the middle. Even if it’s only for a weekend. This will give you both something to look forward to, not to mention that you both can plan out the trip and discuss things you want to do when you get there. There is nothing better than spending real quality time your friend who you haven’t seen in what feels like forever.

What have you found helpful when it comes to long distance friendships?! I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.

XO, Rae

5 PODCASTS TO KEEP YOU MOTIVATED IN 2019

I'll admit, I'm new (ish) to the obsession with listening to podcasts. I've seen so many other bloggers, female entrepreneurs and friends rave about how much they LOVE podcasts. As well as how they use them for motivation in their daily life. So over the past six months, I’ve been doing some listening of my own. And I’ve discovered some podcasts that I really enjoy and think you will too!  Each of these podcasts bring something different to the table whether it be career advice, business savviness, entrepreneurship realness or big life goals motivation. And what I found most in common with all of these podcasts, is that they are each driven by amazing women. Who are determined to share empowering messages and create more conversations amongst other women no matter what life phase you are currently going through.

1. SKIMM'D FROM THE COUCH

If you read theSkimm, then you'll love their podcast. if you're not a reader already, you should be. This podcast discusses everything from starting a business, career advice and how to be successful as an entrepreneur. And it all comes from powerful females who share their highs and lows of their careers and business ventures. Each episode is around 30 minutes, so it's a great podcast to listen to even on days when you don't have a lot of time. 

2. OFF THE VINE W/ KAITLYN BRISTOWE

Former Bachelorette contestant Kaitlyn Bristowe talks candidly to everyone from Hollywood stars, country artists to current and past Bachelor/Bachelorette cast members. I love how she just keeps it real and doesn't hold back from any topic. She is all about empowering men and women to be themselves. Oh and there's lots of wine involved which always makes for entertaining moments.

3. SECOND LIFE 

This podcast is an extension of one of my favorite websites, MYDOMAINE.com. Who What Wear and MyDomaine Co-founder Hillary Kerr, interviews women who have embarked on a whole new career at all different sages in life. And these women tell their story of how they did it and started their second life.  This podcast is always inspiring an will leave you motivated to take on your passion project.

4.  GOAL DIGGER W/ JENNA KUTCHER

Jenna Kutcher is all about teaching women how to turn their passion into profit. She was once a corporate girl turned photographer, now entrepreneur who teaches other creatives & entrepreneurs how to live their best life. She discusses everything from finding your passion, how to make money, building a brand, social media strategies and more. She also shares her personal life in which she openly talks about her struggle with infertility and how she hopes to help empower other women to love their body at any size.

5. Rise Podcast by Rachel Hollis

You may be familiar with Rachel Hollis from her NY Times Best Selling Book Girl, Wash Your Face. In her podcast she discusses and gives real life examples of how to live your best life both personally and professionally. It’s hard not to walk away feeling empowered and motivated after listening to each episodes.

Do you have any favorite podcasts?! Drop your podcast recommendations in the comments below so we can all have a list of ones to try!

XO, Rae 

2018 RECAP + WHAT I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO IN 2019

Happy New Year, y’all! After taking a few weeks off from the blog to travel and enjoy the holidays, it feels good to be writing again. 2019 is off to a great start already and I’m excited to share all the NEW content that I’ve been working on. Anyone else just love the fresh start of a NEW YEAR?! It’s like we get 365 chances to get it right this time if last year didn’t go as planned.

So let’s recap 2018, shall we?!

2018…..was a year of growth and complacency. Which I know is odd to have both of those terms together. So let me explain. After living in New York City for 4 years, I found myself settled in and definitely started to become complacent with things in my life. The first few years here were filled with so many changes personally and professionally, constant friends and family visiting, constant travel and experiences. And then 2018 arrived and it was complete opposite. Less hecticness, less friends & family visiting, less travel and less going on in general. I spent the first 6 months of 2018 battling unresolved issues from the year prior including depression. And it was definitely showing up in my daily life. I was feeling complacent, unmotivated and lost as to what to do next?! So in late May, I made the decision to seek out professional help and see a therapist. Looking back, I should have started the process sooner, but I kept pushing it off due to fear of cost since I’m uninsured.  Luckily, I had seen an ad for My Wellbeing, an online resource to help aid in finding a therapist in the New York area. And they offered self pay rates for services.  So after filling out an online survey, I received an email from My Wellbeing, which included two names of therapists in my area, along with their contact info and bios. I was surprised how easy the process was and I immediately felt eager to reach out to the first contact given. After two phone interviews with potential therapists, I selected the one I felt was best for me and scheduled my first appointment for June 6th. And from there I went every Monday for the first few months and then went a few times a month after that. It was hard to walk in that therapist office each Monday and unpack all the things I had placed deep down. To air out my dirty laundry, my fears, my weaknesses, my struggles, my personal relationships and everything in between. But I did it, one session at a time. Some days I would leave there feeling great and other days I left feeling wrecked while wiping away the mascara running down my face. But that’s the thing about therapy, YOU HAVE TO DO THE WORK. You have to show up every time willing to unpack all the mess, pain and the past in order to work towards a better version of your self and future. And I can tell you this,  I’m so glad I did the work. I even took a break for most of November and all of December because I found myself stronger after receiving the tools I needed. And it was a good test for me to continue to do the work on my own and push through no matter what life brought my way. So that’s where the growth came from in 2018. I pushed through and faced the things I neglected for so long. And even though there were plenty of lows in 2018, there were also lots of highs.  I got to stand by my best friend while he married his best friend. I found strength in friendships. I had some incredible experiences in the city with new and old friends.  I celebrated my 36th Birthday and my 4th year of living in NYC. And I fell even more in love with the city itself.

2019 is no doubt going to be a year filled with new beginnings + big decisions.  And I’m excited to take it all on and make it a year to remember.

A few resolutions I have:

-Cook more often. A passion I have developed.

-Be more intentional with time.

-Be more consistent with daily habits (working out/ skincare routine /reading books)

-Find my voice more with my Blog and Social Media. (More action & Less comparison)

-Step out of my comfort zone more.

-Grow the Blog & make changes for longterm goals.

A few things I’m looking forward to:

-Enjoying the last year living with two of my best friends.

-My friend Brooke’s wedding and traveling to Montana for the first time. Send any recs my way!

-Starting new passion projects.

-Traveling more

-Continuing my journey of self love, acceptance and self improvement.

Wishing you all an AMAZING year filled with new possibilities! And excited for what’s to come in 2019!

Thank you all for being here and allowing me to share my life lessons and journey with you! It means more than you can imagine.

XO, Rae

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE 2018: FOR THE WINE LOVER

This GIFT GUIDE is probably my most favorite that I’ve done yet! Y’all know I love my wine. So it seemed only fitting to compile a list of the best gifts to gift the wine lover in your life! There’s something for every kind of wine drinker. Whether they drink on occasion or are a self proclaimed wine connoisseur. Cheers to finding the perfect gift!

1. Oster Cordless Electric Wine Opener - Under $20! Every wine lovers dream gift. Who wouldn’t want easy access to the wine bottle?!

2. Swoon Wine Decanter - This is the perfect gift for the sophisticated wine drinker. And would be a great addition to anyone’s Bar Cart.

3. Monogram Marble Wine Stopper - A gorgeous and personalized wine accessory. A great gift on it’s own or can be paired with a bottle of wine.

4. Stainless Steel Stemless Wine Tumbler - Under $15! This 12oz. stainless steel wine tumbler is insulated and has an anti slip grip. Perfect for outdoor events, camping, beach vacay or laying out by the pool. Also comes in other colors. Perfect for the casual wine drinker….

5. Winc Wine Club Membership - The gift that keeps on giving. This monthly membership is curated by the wine lover and includes 4 bottles shipped straight to your doorstep.

6. SippingTHIS Wine Coasters - These wine-themed coasters would make a great gift for anyone. Definitely a conversation starter for Holiday Parties. Also makes for a great stocking stuffer. *Comes in a 4-pack or 8-pack Holiday Mixed Set* Use promo code: RAE15 for 15% OFF $50 or more.

7. Rabbit 4 Piece Wine Tool Kit - Under $25! A wine lover’s necessity. This set includes a corkscrew, a foil cutter, a drip-stop ring and a wine/champagne sealer.

Hope this Gift Guide helps give you ideas for all the Wine lovers in your life! Cheers!

**GIVEAWAY ALERT 12/4** Head over to my Instagram account @reinventingraenyc for how to enter + more details.

XO, Rae

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE 2018: GIFTS FOR HER

My second Gift Guide this Holiday season is a round up of gift ideas for HER. The ladies in your life whether it be your Sister, Bestie or Girlfriends you Brunch with on weekends. There is something for all the Gals in your life.

1. Winesulator w/ 2 Wine Tumblers- For the Wine Lover. And the perfect excuse to have a wine night at your besties house. Available in other colors.

2. Urban Decay Naked Cherry Palette- This gorgeous palette includes matte and metallic shades that any beauty lover will gush over.

3. Block Letter Monogram Necklace- If you’re looking for something a bit more personalized, this necklace is perfect!

4. Hudson Bleecker Lava Jewelry Case- A compact jewelry case to store baubles and more for the gal who loves to travel. Use code: HOLIDAY20 for 20% OFF

5. Mother Hood Life Lightweight Sweatshirt- For the friend who is also a MOM. She will love this comfy sweatshirt that she can wear on those busy Mom days.

6. Rose Quartz Face Roller- The newest beauty obsession makes for a great gift for the skincare lover.

7. LUSH Hygge Holiday Gift Set- What’s better than giving the gift of relaxation?! This bath & body set is ideal for anyone.

8. Drybar Full Size Favorites Holiday Gift Set- For the gal who always gets blowouts at the salon. This set will help her maintain her mane from home.

I hope you find this gift guide helpful when shopping for your best Gals! Comment and let me know who you’ll be shopping for.

XO, Rae

BLACK FRIDAY WEEKEND SALES 2018

Black Friday is HERE! Who’s EXCITED to Shop til you drop?! It’s one of busiest shopping weekends and there are so many good SALES going on IN-STORE and ONLINE. So to kick off Back Friday, I’ve rounded up some of the best Sales happening at your favorite stores. Everything is linked below so you can easily shop and cross off your Christmas list.

updated as of Sat. 12:09pm

Old Navy- 40% OFF ONLINE ON EVERYTHING (SATURDAY & SUNDAY)

M.A.C- 25% OFF ONLINE & IN-STORE| FREE SHIPPING on all orders

DryBar- 20% OFF all products, tools, kits & accessories | FREE ground shipping

LOFT- 50% OFF your purchase w/ CODE FRIYAY

Madewell- 25% OFF your purchase w/ code DEALWITHIT

Pottery Barn- 25% OFF | FREE Shipping w/ code CYBER

Crate & Barrel- 20% OFF Select full-price items | 30% OFF Decor, Entertaining, Ornaments, Kitchen & holiday items. | FREE Shipping on eligible items for orders $49 or more

Anthropologie- 30% OFF Everything | FREE Shipping

Ulta- Beauty Busters (so many great deals/bundles) | FREE Shipping for orders $35 or more

Target- SO MANY GOOD DEALS on Electronics, Toys, Kitchen & Home, Clothing etc. Black Friday Doorbusters extended all day SATURDAY.

Nordstrom Rack- Black Friday Clearance w/ an additional 30% OFF until 11/26 | FREE Shipping Sitewide through Monday

Express- 40% OFF Everything | FREE Shipping on orders $50 or more

Charlotte Tilbury- 40% OFF Beauty Kits | 33% OFF Lip Trios

Sephora- Get 50% OFF select items each day this week for the DAILY WOW Online & In-Store

Tarte- 25% OFF w/ code WEEKEND

Kylie Cosmetics- 40% OFF Lip Products | 30% OFF Face Products

Banana Republic- 50% OFF all regular priced items | Extra 10% OFF when you use your Gap Inc. credit card w/ CODE BRCARD

XO, Rae

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE 2018: FOR THE HOSTESS

The Holiday season is upon us and you know what that means…invites galore! So whether you’re going to a Friendsgiving, an Ugly Sweater Party or just to your besties Cookie Swap Party. You’ll need a hostess gift and I’ve got you covered with something for everyone.

1. Cravings: Hungry for More by Chrissy Teigen - For the hostess who loves to cook & entertain.

2. Kate Spade Wine Bottle Tote - Just add a nice bottle of wine. And ta-da, perfect gift!

3. CAPRI BLUE FIR & FIREWOOD JAR CANDLE - Candles always make great gifts. And this candle not only smells AMAZING but comes in this gorgeous jar.

4. Gray Plush Throw with Tassels- Under $20 and makes a great cozy gift.

5. Plaid Monogram Mug - On SALE! A great personalized gift on it’s own or you can pair it with some hot chocolate or coffee.

6. The Cellar ‘Chill’ Carafe- Under $15 with promo code BLKFRI. Such a fun gift for the SASSY hostess.

7. Filigree Gold Stemless Wine Glasses (Set of 4) - You can never have enough glassware. Cheers!

8. Wood Marble Tree Cheese Board - This beautiful serving piece is functional and festive.

XO, Rae

THANKFUL & GRATEFUL

Happy Thanksgiving Eve, y’all! This morning I woke up feeling excited for the Holiday season ahead. And then immediately felt anxious for everything that needs to be accomplished today and in the days ahead. The cooking, baking, shopping, traveling, attending holiday parties, hosting out of town guest and the added stress of trying to find the perfect gift for friends and loved ones.

I reminded myself in that moment to stop and take a breathe, because all of those things are NOT what’s important. Gifts are nice and shopping is fun, but it’s the little things and moments in between that matter the most. It’s time spent with family & friends, giving back to those who are less fortunate, sending hand written cards, sharing recipes with friends, decorating the tree and most of all making memories.

So as you start to prep for the holiday weekend, take a moment to reflect on what you’re thankful for this Thanksgiving. I know I will be doing the same. Practicing gratitude is something that can quickly change our mood and certainly gives us perspective on what really matters in life. I hope you all enjoy the Holiday weekend with your friends and family.

Image via Pinterest

Wishing you all a very Happy Thanksgiving!

XO, Rae

VOTE IN THE POLLS AND LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD

Happy Monday, y’all. While I don’t typically get political on my social platforms or the blog, I felt compelled this morning to share this with you all. This is just me sharing my opinion and outlook on this topic. And I appreciate the fact that I have a platform in which I can express that freely and openly.

This morning while on the Subway, a young woman went to go sit in an empty middle seat between another woman and gentleman. The young lady took notice that the space was small and cramped, but she made eye contact with the gentleman first showing her interest in sitting in the seat and politely said '“excuse me” before taking the seat. The other woman already sitting next to the empty seat quickly scooted over as much as she could making room for the young lady. But the gentleman didn’t budge. As the young woman sat down in the empty seat, the gentleman quickly started to argue with her on why she would choose that seat seeing there was not much space. Another gentleman standing nearby covered in tattoos, looked at the young girl who took the seat, and said in disappointment “so much for chivalry”! He was in disbelief that the other gentleman was so reluctant to move slightly over to accommodate the young woman and he let his voice be heard. I immediately took notice how the young woman looked surprised that this stranger stood up for her. I have to admit, so was I. You see, on the outside you could easily assume that this rugged, tattoo covered guy was a bad guy or a tough guy and couldn’t have cared less about the woman trying to get a seat on the Subway. But it was in fact the complete opposite. I’m telling you this story because I think we all have been guilty of being too quick to judge others by their appearance or what we can only see on the surface. And you may be wondering, what’s the point of this story?

Well, tomorrow is a big day for our country as we head out to VOTE in the polls for the mid-term elections. And I encourage you all to look deeper into each candidate before you vote. Look at more than the color of their skin or their appearance. Look at more than the party they are representing. Look at who they are as a person. Ask yourself; Do you like the characteristics that they uphold? Ask yourself; Do they represent your morals and values? Ask yourself; Do they stand up for the rights you believe in? Ask yourself these questions without the opinions of others or the media or what you see at first glance. Because too often as humans we jump to conclusions without knowing all the facts or looking deeper. I was also reminded of this myself during my commute this morning. The simple truth is, we are all just trying to have a seat amongst our fellow Americans and want our voices to be heard.

I’m encouraging everyone to make an educated decision when it comes to VOTING in the polls tomorrow. You have a VOICE and it is powerful. Make sure to put it to good use tomorrow to speak up for what YOU believe in.

And if you’re needing more information on VOTING and which candidates are up for election. Head over to theSkimm to enter your information and receive a sample ballot for your area.

XO, Rae