FEATURE FRIDAY 7.12.19

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Photography by: Lauren Lucile Creative

Photography by: Lauren Lucile Creative

It’s FINALLY FRIDAY! It has been ridiculously HOT in New York this week. I’ve honestly spent more days camped out in front of my air conditioner than I have going out. Anyone else relate?! But the weekend is upon us and there are many great things happening, including some of the biggest SALES of the year.

Here’s this week’s roundup of Beauty faves + Lifestyle articles + Things I’m loving lately, Events happening around the city and MORE.

LIFESTYLE + POP CULTURE

  • Mercury is in retrograde from July 7th- July 31st…here is everything you need to know.

  • Amazon Prime Day is actually going to be TWO days this year, starting at Midnight July 15th thru July 16th. This SALE is usually geared toward discounts on kitchenware items and electronics.

  • Nordstrom Anniversary SALE starts July 12th-18th for card holders and goes LIVE to the Public on July 19th-August 4th. N SALE is great for stocking up on Fall clothing, outerwear, activewear, name brand denim and shoes. The SALE is known for heavily discounted name brands and makes for the perfect time to start Christmas shopping.

WHAT I’M LOVING LATELY

HAPPENING IN THE CITY

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:

XO, Rae

MY BEACH BAG ESSENTIALS

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My Beach Bag Essentials

Summer is best spent basking in the SUN with a front row view of the ocean. Am I right?! And while I love a good beach day, there are a few items that I can’t live without while I’m there. So, whether you’re planning a beach vacation or just going for a day trip, here are all the essentials I carry in my beach bag.

Beach Bag Essentials

  1. Kopari Natural Deodorant- The best natural deodorant that actually works! I use this daily and keep an extra one in my bag for those really HOT Summer days.

  2. Sunscreen - Favorite sunscreen I’ve used in a long time. It absorbs easily and doesn't leave your skin feeling greasy. Also love that it’s available at most drug stores.

  3. Mega Babe - This anti-chafe stick is a game changer all my girls with thick thighs (myself included). I apply this  before heading to the beach/pool and it usually lasts all day. Also great for everyday use with wearing dresses and shorts.

  4. Hair Ties - These hair ties actually hold your hair up without leaving any creases or pulling out your hair out. A little pricey but worth it! And they come in several colors.

  5. Lip balm w/ SPF - My lips get sunburned easily so I always use a lip balm w/ SPF. And I love that this one from Sun Bum that is tinted with color.

  6. Wet Brush - I use this as my everyday hair brush and also throw in my bag for the beach. It’s perfect for detangling beach hair.

  7. Facial Spray - I keep this on hand all Summer long. I love using this for a quick refresh during the day.

  8. Sun Bum Cool Down Lotion - This lotion has saved my skin so many times after being out in the sun all day! It’s great for sunburns and to as an after sun lotion to help maintain your tan longer. Also love that it has a cooling effect upon application.

What are your MUST HAVES for a day at the beach? I’d love to hear what your beach bag essentials are.

XO, Rae

FEATURE FRIDAY 6.28.19

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Photography by: Lauren Lucile Creative

Photography by: Lauren Lucile Creative

HAPPY FRIDAY and HAPPY PRIDE!! It’s definitely starting to feel like Summer in the city. And I’m excited for all the festivities this weekend. I’ll be attending the PRIDE parade on Sunday with some of my friends. And this will actually be my first time going to the NYC Pride event. I can’t wait to support my friends and just be a part of such a meaningful event. Are you celebrating PRIDE this weekend?!

The beaches are officially open here in New York, and I’ll be heading out to the beach on Monday for some much need SUN. Next week on the blog, I’ll be sharing my ‘Beach Bag Essentials’ for Summer. Stay tuned for a full list of items!

Here’s this week’s roundup of Beauty faves + Lifestyle articles + Things I’m loving lately, Events happening around the city and MORE.

LIFESTYLE + POP CULTURE

  • Kim Kardashian announced she is launching her own SOLUTIONWEAR a.k.a. shapewear line, Kimono. And while some are saying that she may have missed the mark with the name. I think it’s still pretty genius of her to create her own line. I mean she is the QUEEN of wearing shapewear under her clothing.

  • The MTV popular series, ‘The Hills’ returned to the network this past week. And so far, it seems it still has the audience begging for more. It airs every Monday at 10/9c.

  • One of my favorite clean beauty brands, TULA just released their NEW Face Filter Blurring & Moisturizing Primer. It’s made with probiotics, turmeric and chia seeds that help even skin tone and redness while also releasing “glow particles” to give your skin a radiant glow. I’ve already placed my order and I’ll let y’all know my thoughts after I use it for a week or two.

WHAT I’M LOVING LATELY

  • I recently partnered with Rocksbox, a monthly jewelry subscription. #ad And I only wish I would have discovered it sooner! I love having new accessories each month to wear and and the option to purchase items at a discount, if I find that I really love them. Use PROMO CODE reinventingraenycxoxo to receive 1 month FREE www.rocksbox.com

  • I’ve been making less trips to my local Starbucks, and drinking this at home instead.

  • My go-to moisturizer for Summer. And ULTA is currently having a BUY 2, GET 1 FREE SALE.

HAPPENING IN THE CITY

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:

XO, Rae

SUMMER PLAYLIST '19

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SUMMER PLAYLIST

Every Summer has a story and if you’re like me, you can listen to a song and instantly be taken back to a time and place. So I wanted to share with y’all my playlist that has been on repeat lately. A compile of feel good songs with a mix of old and new. Whether you’re on the Beach, laying by the pool, hosting a BBQ or just driving in the car with the windows down. I hope you enjoy this list as much as I do! I’ll be adding songs to the playlist all Summer long.


Click here to open playlist via Spotify.

What songs have you been loving lately?! Any favorite Summertime songs?!

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:

XO, Rae

FEATURE FRIDAY 6.21.19

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Photography by: Lauren Lucile Creative

Photography by: Lauren Lucile Creative

Happy 1st day of SUMMER, y’all! I can’t believe how fast this year has already gone by. But I’m definitely looking forward to another Summer in the City. Crazy to think that this will be my 5th Summer in New York City. I’m excited to discover new gems, make memories with friends and be more in the moment and enjoy Summer to the fullest.

I’m also planning to write more when it comes to the blog and explore new content ideas. Which brings me to today’s blog post, a NEW series called: ‘FEATURE FRIDAY’. Each week I’ll be sharing a roundup of Beauty faves + Lifestyle articles + Things I’m loving lately, Events happening around the city and MORE.

Let me know what you’d like to see included on future FEATURE FRIDAY posts!

LIFESTYLE + POP CULTURE

  • I recently discovered this amazing digital Magazine, DressLikeMe. And I’m honored to be included in a fashion feature on their site this week. You can read the full article here.

  • I can’t get enough of this NEW artist. I LOVE her lyrics in her music and especially love that she is all about body positivity.

  • Blogger/Influencer Marissa Fuchs has been on the most extravagant scavenger hunt for a proposal that ended up being her actual wedding to her longtime boyfriend, Gabe. But rumor has it, that it was all pre-planned and actually pitched to companies prior as part of a PR stunt. The verdict is still out, but it was definitely intense watching the past 48 hours. You can watch it all unfold on her Instagram stories highlights.

WHAT I’M LOVING LATELY

  • If you’re planning on being in swimsuits and dresses this Summer, you will need this. It’s a GAME CHANGER for us Ladies with thick thighs.

  • I’ve been wearing this Amazon Dress on repeat lately. It’s under $25 and comes in several colors.

  • The NEW Netflix romantic comedy, ALWAYS BE MY MAYBE, is hilarious & perfect for a night in this weekend.

HAPPENING IN THE CITY

  • My favorite luggage brand, CALPAK is hosting a pop-up in Soho this weekend. Click here for more details.

  • The NEW Time Out Market New York in Dumbo, Brooklyn is a MUST this Summer. With over 20+ food vendors, a rooftop bar and spectacular views of both Dumbo and Manhattan. There is sure to be a crowd but I promise the views alone are worth it!

  • Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen LIVE at the Beacon Theatre Friday and Saturday evening. Click here for tickets.

  • SOULFest NYC x Athleta is hosting a Yoga crawl on the Upper Westside. Click here for more details.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:

XO, Rae

20 THINGS NOBODY TELLS YOU ABOUT LIVING IN NEW YORK CITY

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20 things about living in NYC

After living in New York City for 4.5 years now, I  have learned a thing or two when it comes to everyday life in the city. Overall, I’ve had pretty good luck here. But that’s not to say that there hasn’t been hard days in between. Living in New York City requires you to accept the good with the bad.  And honestly, I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

Prior to moving to New York City, I read countless articles and blogs about what to expect when living in the city. And I even got some advice from my best friend. Although I did find some of my research to be helpful. It’s one of those things where some people will only share the lows living in New York and others will ONLY share the highs. But the reality is, nothing can prepare you more than experiencing it for yourself.

So, if you’re considering making the move to NYC, or maybe just curious about what it’s REALLY like to call this city home. Here is some insight on living in New York City. 

Photography by: Lauren Lucile Creative

Photography by: Lauren Lucile Creative

  1. Your apartment will NOT be like the ones you’ve seen on tv shows. It will be small, very small. Think full size bed up against a wall, small. 

  2. You will always be running 15 mins late. Train traffic is a real thing.

  3. During your commute, you’ll learn how to master walking, texting & eating a meal all at the same time. You will master ‘on the go’ life.

  4. Everyday is an adventure on the Subway. Whether it’s a homeless person begging for money, Showtime performers or drunk people yelling at you. Honestly, some days you don’t even notice it as much.

  5. Summer in the city is hot, humid and sometimes smelly. But we embrace it anyway because we have waterfront views, rooftop cocktails and beaches galore to cool off at.

  6. Even in a city of 8.6 million people, there will often be times you feel extremely lonely and isolated. Everyone experiences this at some point and time.

  7. You will fall in love with the city over and over again when you least expect it.

  8. Doing your laundry is no longer a luxury, but rather a chore. And requires lots of quarters. 

  9. Living in a walk-up apartment is fine until you have to go grocery shopping or carry your laundry, or move In/Out. Actually it’s not fine, it’s a lot of stairs and heavy breathing mostly.

  10. You will cry on the Subway at least once. Some people will even say that you’re NOT a real New Yorker until this happens.

  11. You’ll know you’ve made it when you have an elevator, doorman and laundry in your building.

  12. Dating in New York is like playing the lottery. But hey, just think of all the fun stories you can tell your friends and FREE drinks you can consume.

  13. Nothing will get you more excited than finding out the NEW Trader Joe’s is opening up in your neighborhood.

  14. Friendships are harder to maintain in the city and often revolve around meeting up for brunch or cocktails. Everyone is constantly busy, therefore it takes a little more effort to hang out in person regularly. 

  15. You will jump at the opportunity to escape the city at any given chance. However, you will be even more excited to return.

  16. Friends and family will frequently give their unsolicited opinion on how they could NEVER live in New York City. But you better believe they will want to stay with you when they come to visit.

  17. The Subway is the best way to get around New York. Unless it’s late night, spend the extra money on the cab or Uber.

  18. In New York, it’s all about WHO you know. Never turn down an opportunity to network or meet new people. You never know when you might need to utilize that contact.

  19. Only in New York, can you feel like you’ve traveled the world by just visiting a new neighborhood or a different borough.

  20. NYC will constantly remind you just how expensive it is to live here. (Hello ridiculous rent, overpriced cocktails and expensive groceries) But you’ll do it anyway. Why?! Because you live in the greatest city of all, that’s why.

Photography by: Lauren Lucile Creative

Photography by: Lauren Lucile Creative

Photography by: Lauren Lucile Creative

Photography by: Lauren Lucile Creative

I hope this helps gives a little more insight on everyday life in the city. Living in New York really is an experience like non other. Even on the hard days, you’ll look up at the skyline and immediately feel like it’s all worth it, just to call this place home. 

 "Once you have lived in New York and it has become your home, no place else is good enough." — John Steinbeck

XO, Dana Rae

Related articles:

5 REASONS WHY LIVING IN NEW YORK CITY IS AMAZING

12 RULES OF LIVING IN NEW YORK CITY

YEAR 1 OF LIVING IN NEW YORK CITY

YEAR 2 OF LIVING IN NEW YORK CITY

YEAR 4 OF LIVING IN NEW YORK CITY

15 THINGS TO DO IN NEW YORK CITY IN SPRING

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Spring 2019 NYC guide

Hello April! Who else is excited for warmer weather months?! Spring in New York City is pretty euphoric. New Yorkers slowly start to come out of hibernation from Winter once we get that first glimpse of warmer weather. Think days spent at Central Park, bike rides, rooftops, dining on patios and more. And just like any season, there is always a ton of things to do around the city. I’ve rounded up the best ‘15 Things to do This Spring in NYC’. So whether you live here or you’re planning to visit in the coming months, I hope you find this list helpful!

  1. Macy’s Flower Show - FREE and open to the public from March 24th-April 7th

  2. Stroll through Central Park - The park comes to life during Spring months and there’s nothing better than seeing the blooms up close in person. You can even take a walking tour to see the Cherry Blossoms.

  3. Hudson Yards - This newly developed area recently opened to the public. High end shops, restaurants, public garden and a NEW landmark called the Vessel. You can climb all 154 flights of stairs to see unique city views from each landing. It’s FREE to access, however you do have to reserve tickets to enter the Vessel.

  4. Cherry Blossom Festival - April 27th-28th at the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens. This event is known to sell out, make sure to reserve tickets ASAP.

  5. Bryant Park - Stroll the park, grab coffee and find a seat amongst all the tulips in bloom.

  6. Yankees Game - Spring baseball season is underway. Go Uptown to the Bronx to see the Yankees in action.

  7. Dine from a rooftop - Eataly in Flatiron has a new Spring inspired rooftop garden including a new seasonal menu and cocktails.

  8. Drink from a rooftop - Rooftop Season is one of the best perks of living in the city. Grab a cocktail with a view at one of these popular spots: Refinery, 230 Fifth, The Roof, Cantina & PHD Terrace

  9. Smorgasbug - The infamous outdoor food market is expanding into the Financial District this Spring. It opens to the public on April 12th and every Friday thereafter through October. Hours: 11:30am-7pm

  10. Brooklyn Bridge - Walking the Brooklyn Bridge is a MUST during warmer months. Best way to see the Manhattan skyline. And makes for the perfect Instagram photo.

  11. Food Truck Fest - Saturday April 13th. Located at Grand Bazaar Market on the Upper Westside. There will be 15 gourmet food truck vendors along with other local vendors.

  12. Frida Kahlo Exhibit - A new exhibit located at the Brooklyn Museum. It’s the largest US exhibit of her personal items, clothing and art. Definitely recommend purchasing tickets in advance, several dates are SOLD OUT already. Exhibit runs through May 12th.

  13. Dine al fresco - Many restaurants in the city open their cafe for dining outside in April/May. A few of my favorite spots include The Mermaid Inn, Cookshop, Boat Basin Cafe and Tavern on the Green.

  14. NY Beer Fest - The 2nd annual Beer fest will be located at Citi Field in Queens and feature dozens of craft breweries.

  15. Explore a new neighborhood. There’s nothing better than walking amongst the tree lined streets of the city and seeing the Spring blooms everywhere.

What are you looking forward to doing this Spring? Comment below.


XO, Rae

5 BEAUTY PRODUCTS WORTH TRYING: MARCH

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BEAUTY PRODUCTS MARCH

In continuation of my new monthly series that features favorited beauty products including skincare, makeup & beauty tools. This month’s picks include a few skincare items, a favorited face sheet mask and a drugstore worthy mascara. 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.

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Moisturizer

While recently shopping for a new moisturizer, my best friend recommended this one. So I grabbed a trial size from Target to test it out. My skin has been super dry lately. After just one day of using this moisturizer, my skin felt and looked more hydrated. I tend to have oily skin, so I love how it quickly absorbs without leaving my skin feeling greasy or heavy. And has hyaluronic acid which keeps your skin hydrated longer. I’ll definitely be buying the full size version to continue using in my skincare routine.

Mario Badescu Facial Spray

This is my holy grail skincare product that I’ve been using for a few years now. I use it daily, once in the morning after cleansing my face for added hydration and at night to soothe my skin before bed. I also use it as a setting spray for my makeup. And I typically keep a travel size bottle in my tote bag for a quick refresh throughout out the day. It’s one of my go-to skincare products that I use year round to keep my skin hydrated in colder temps and refreshed during warmer months.

Tula Skin Reviving treatment Pads

I’ve been using several Tula skincare products the past 6+ months. And this is most recent purchase from their skincare line. These dual ended treatment pads are great for exfoliating your skin to help remove any impurities and clogged pores. They are so easy to use and leave your skin feeling renewed just after one use. Use 1-2 times per week for a mini facial you can do at home. I especially love that they come in individual packets making them perfect for travel.

L’Oreal Voluminous Superstar Mascara

I discovered this gem of a drugstore mascara through fellow blogger Cristin Coooper, who recommended it on her Instagram page. I tend to keep a few mascaras in rotation and this one has quickly become one of my favorites. It’s a dual ended wand with primer on one end and mascara on the other. It’s great for building volume and length with your lashes. I love how easy it applies and how it creates dramatic lashes. I buy the Blackest Black for added drama. Best part is that it’s inexpensive and you can find it at your local drugstore.

Garnier SkinActive Moisture Bomb Sheet Mask

This sheet mask is literally the bomb! It’s feels soothing and refreshing plus it has hyaluronic acid which leaves your skin feeling super hydrated. You can apply this mask weekly to give your skin a boost or use right before you apply your makeup for an added glow. It’s one of the best sheet masks I’ve used and continually purchase. And you can find it at your local Target or drugstore.


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





SHOP PRODUCTS:

XO, Rae

WHY I MADE THE SWITCH TO NATURAL DEODORANT + REVIEWS ON BRANDS I TESTED

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Natural Deodorant blog post

Over the past 6+ months, I’ve been making the transition over to using a natural deodorant. Honestly, I’ve never really been conscious of the ingredients in my deodorant, much less beauty products in general. But after doing some research and learning more about chemicals found in everyday products, I decided it was time to start looking into incorporating some safer alternatives. And switching my deodorant seemed like a great way to start using more natural products.

I ended up purchasing four well known brands and tested each one individually over a period of time. I went based off of reviews and recommendations from friends on which ones to try. Below you will find my review of each one with a list of pros & cons. Keep in mind that everyone’s body is different and what may have not worked for me, could work for you. I highly recommend trying a few yourself in order to find the right one. I definitely did not expect for it to take months in order to find one that worked, but I’m so glad that I didn’t give up in the process and eventually found a natural deodorant that works great for my body.


A few things to know:

  1. Most antiperspirants contain aluminum, which actually causes your sweat glands to be blocked and stops you from naturally sweating.

  2. Natural deodorants typically do NOT contain aluminum and are paraben FREE as well. Therefore natural ingredients are better for your skin and keeps the good bacteria working even when you’re not wearing deodorant.

  3. It is recommended to detox your underarm area prior to switching to a natural deodorant. There are a few ways to do this and honestly, I think it’s personal preference. If you literally search “how to detox your armpits” on Pinterest, you will find a ton of articles. I personally chose to use witch hazel + a charcoal scrub a few times in between testing each deodorant. I can’t really say if it made a huge difference or not, but I think it’s worth doing to prep your skin initially.

  4. Natural deodorant is not meant to prevent you from sweating. So you may still experience some underarm wetness in the process.

  5. Try and then try again! I say this because, I found myself frustrated in the process and assumed that certain brands should be the “one” for me based on friends recommendations. Keep in mind that your body may respond differently to certain brands. And it may take trying a few different ones before you find the one that works for you.

Schmidt's Deodorant

Schmidt’s $4.69 2.56oz

Pros

  • Scented with essential oils *Lavender & Sage

  • Available in several scents

  • Aluminum + Paraben FREE

Cons

  • Rough texture upon application (feels gritty to touch)

  • Caused irritation & redness after a few uses (likely due to the baking soda)

  • Experienced underarm wetness after application

  • Discontinued use within 5-7 days

Lavanila Deodorant

Lavanila $8.00 .90oz

Pros

  • Light fresh scent *Vanilla

  • Smooth application + dries clear

  • Aluminum + Paraben FREE

Cons

  • Experienced some underarm wetness

  • Needed reapplying at least once throughout the day

  • Noticed that even with light activity, it would wear off by end of day and caused underarm odor.

  • Discontinued use within 2-3 weeks

  • Product ended up breaking off inside cap (not sure if this happens typically or if mine was defective)

Native deodorant

Native $11.99 2.65oz

Pros

  • Smells great *Coconut & Vanilla

  • Available in several scents

  • Smooth application + dries clear

  • Aluminum + Paraben FREE

Cons

  • Experienced some underarm wetness

  • Noticed that even with light activity, it would wear off during the day.

  • Caused strong underarm odor by end of day within 6-8 hours (this started around week 3)

  • Discontinued use within 4 weeks


Kopari Coconut Oil Deodorant

Kopari $14 2oz

Pros

  • Smells amazing *Coconut oil

  • Glides on skin + non-sticky application

  • Does not stain or transfer to clothing

  • Aluminum + Paraben FREE

  • Allure Best of Beauty Award Winner 2018

  • Lasts all day without having to reapply

Cons

  • Price


    Honestly, I can’t say anything bad about this deodorant other than the price point. I’ve used it for the past month and it continues to last all day without reapplication. I haven’t tested it while working out, so the jury is still out on that. But for me, it’s been the best natural deodorant I’ve tested out by far. I’ve even had a few friends who have started to use it and they love it as well.

Have you tried using Natural Deodorant? If so, what was your experience like? Share in the comments below.

XO, Rae

14 WAYS TO CELEBRATE VALENTINE'S DAY AS A SINGLE GAL

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Photography by: Lauren Lucile Creative

Photography by: Lauren Lucile Creative

I’ve had my share of Valentine’s Day as a SINGLE gal and I actually don’t mind it. I love LOVE just as much as the next girl, but I also love my independence. And I’m not afraid to embrace being Single and making the most of it. So if you find yourself Single or dating with no commitment this year, this post is for YOU. Because Valentine’s Day isn’t just about being in love with someone. It can also be celebrated with all of the people around you that you love. Don’t let this Hallmark Holiday get you down in the dumps about being S-I-N-G-L-E. Instead use it as an excuse to treat yo’ self, gather with girlfriends or just have a day to celebrate YOU.


Photography by: Lauren Lucile Creative

Photography by: Lauren Lucile Creative

1. Host a Galentine’s Night with your girlfriends. You can keep it low key with movies & wine. Or have a theme and go all out with decorations and specialty cocktails.

2. Go to a local wine tasting with friends.

3. Cozy up at home w/ a Sex & the City marathon. 

4. Get dressed up and go out with your girlfriends for a night out on the town.

Photography by: Lauren Lucile Creative

Photography by: Lauren Lucile Creative

5. Spend the evening at home and treat yo self with your favorite bottle of wine, face mask & chocolate to indulge in. 

6. Gather your girlfriends to have a nice brunch at a local spot you all love. 

7. Have a spa day. Get a facial or mani + pedi. Self care is the best care. 

8. Have a coffee date with a friend at a fancy coffee shop.

9. Find a Singles event in your city to attend. Maybe Cupid will strike.

10. FaceTime a friend and have a virtual wine night while you catch up with one another.

Photography by: Lauren Lucile Creative

Photography by: Lauren Lucile Creative

11. Find out what your Love Language is. Take the quiz here.

12. Take a bubble bath at home and apply your most elaborate skincare routine. And pop a bottle of bubbly.

13. Show yourself some love. Buy some pretty flowers & your favorite chocolates.

14. Grab takeout from your favorite restaurant, open a bottle of wine & watch all the Rom Coms on Netflix from the comfort of your home in your pajamas.

Photography by: Lauren Lucile Creative

Photography by: Lauren Lucile Creative

Celebrate in any way that makes you happy. Love comes in many forms. And the most important relationship in life, is the one that you have with yourself.

XO, Rae