A Lie Does Not Like To Be Challenged.

All the damn facts‼️ Pay attention. The defensiveness, the dismissal, even some fake outrage… Whenever someone replies with “I’m not going back and forth about this,” it’s almost always because you challenged their lie and they have nothing other than poor excuses and more lies to make things worse. It’s also disrespectful because they’re really telling you that you’re not worth the discussion to fix what they f**ked up, and are then angry that you’re angry. What’s funny is that the situation could be something small and insignificant in the grand scheme of things, but the lie and the bullsh*t to not be honest is what makes it bigger and worse than if they’d told the truth. Pay attention and walk away from these people. End the discussion. Don’t argue. Say okay and walk away. Truth always opens the door to make things right. I have more respect if you’re straight out honest with me than when you try to insult my intelligence. 💥💯

What do you guys think? Do you agree? How do you handle these types of situations? Let me know in the comments. It’s been a while since I posted, but let’s reconnect. Go! #engage

Don’t forget to click on the “widgets” section up top to follow my blog on WordPress or via email and to follow me on social media. Thank you!

Gracias,

AnnaCris 💛

Sexy in Yellow

Because we all need sunshine in our lives…. 💛

This spring I finally found a pair of yellow heels that stole my heart. 🥰

The “Kuniel” by Aldo Shoes

Ayeee! How CUTE are these you guys?!

The heel is only 4.5 inches high so they’re a piece of cake to walk in in the city. LOL!

Yellow is my favorite color, and I’ve been searching for the perfect yellow heels for the longest. My search is over. 😊

What do y’all think? What is your favorite bright color for sexy heels? Hit me up in the comments and feel free to add your photos. Let’s chat and share. Go! #engage

Don’t forget to click on the “widgets” section up top to follow my blog on WordPress or via email and to follow me on social media. Thank you!

 

Gracias,

AnnaCris 💛

I Discovered SNS Nail Powder & Love It!

Hola,

Hey there my loves! How is everyone doing? I’m feeling pretty good. Today was a holiday in the US and y’all know it’s ALWAYS great to be off on a Monday. 😉 In keeping with my “hello, I’m back” theme from last week, I wanted to publish something official this week.

So for my first comeback post, I figured I’d write something for all my lovely ladies. A topic that’s super fun and girly and I know many of you are into. MANICURES!  Yasss!

Okay here’s the backstory to why I chose this as my first… As I mentioned in last week’s “Hello, I Think I’m back” post, last October I finally went to my dream place – ITALY! 💚 My cousin and I spent 10 glorious days traveling through the most magnificent cities. Anyway, I wanted my nails to be on point and I hadn’t really been getting them done before the trip. So I figured I’d get long acrylic tips so that they’d last carrying our luggage around. Plus this trip DID require beautifully done nails!

The day of my trip, I hit the nail salon. I picked a beautiful, bright orange color from the selection book that went perfectly with my skin tone. I sit down not yet realizing that I hadn’t chosen an actual bottle – i.e.: Essie polish. LOL! So Jason (nail technician) begins applying the tips, cuts them to my desired length, files, etc. etc. etc. Then he busts out the color in a jar! Ayeee! What?!? At that moment you guys, I discovered the SNS DIPPING NAIL POWDER! Siiiiii! Omg at first I was like WTF is that?? HA! Where have I been all this time? How did I NOT know about this fabulousness? Jason laughed and said “it’s the powder” and proceeded to explain how it was better than regular polish and would last longer. And needless to say, I was instantly HOOKED!!

 

 

I’m sure many of you have known about this wonderfulness for a while now, but I promise you that I had NO idea! This is because I usually do my own manicures. I’ve even written a couple of posts about this. But this! I fell in love with the whole process. It relaxes me. Watching how it’s done and the end result is always so lovely. I guess I don’t have to tell y’all that I’ve been getting “the powder” ever since October. When I tell you guys that I’m HOOKED! I cannot stop! 🤷🏽‍♀️

 

Peep the Nails! Gelato in San Gimignano, Florence, Italy

Gelato in Milan, Italy

 

Do y’all see that lovely, bright shade of orange? My nails lasted through the entire trip! It also took me a day or two to get used to the nail length. LOL!

I’m so in love and hooked on this that I wanted to share some of the colors I’ve gotten since October because some of you are not yet following my blog’s Instagram account *sighs* (umm… @crisanna6). Also, if you know me personally or have been following my blog/social media, you know how much I love rich and bright colors so here goes:

*Note: I removed the acrylic tips after I got back from Italy and the following are my own nails.

 

I got this GREEN in late January and it was perfect for those cold winter days. It even matched the green stone ring that I bought in Milan. 😍

 

 

 

Once I learned that it was okay to go with two different colors, of course I wanted to experiment. In early March I decided to ramp it up and go with this BURGUNDY with mirrored GLITTER. 🥰

 

At the end of March I discovered BLING! Ayee… what a moment LOL! So I went with this pale PINK since spring was upon us and this one looked so lovely and dainty! Also notice that I started keeping the nails shorter because I kept banging them which caused them to crack sooner than they were supposed to.

 

In May, I wanted something bright to get excited about almost summer so I went with this bright LIME GREEN with silver SPARKLES! Another hit. 💚

By then, I was hooked on doing something different on the ring finger and my technicians are always ready to have me try all the new stuff that they have. It’s like a girly adventure and I have yet to be disappointed by the results. Take a look at these:

 

My other technician – Christy, had me try this new design since I love the color yellow.  So at the end of May I got the POLKA DOT look and it was a hit. People kept asking me how I did them…

 

Summer had me in the whole PASTEL look and I’d gotten light colors a couple of times, but this pale PEACH was by far my favorite. 🧡

 

In July I went with pastel BLUE. I had gotten a beautiful dark blue back in November but forgot to take a picture. Anyway, I wanted to do something a bit more different and I asked Jason to do two nails with glitter instead of one and this was the result. 💙

 

For my birthday on August 6th *hint hint* … I decide to go with my favorite color – YELLOW and add some pizzazz with a gold, yellowish glitter. I absolutely loved these. Also, peep that by August I’m leaving my nails a bit longer because I’ve finally gotten used to them. LOL! 💛 Umm… did you guys catch my extra cool accessories?

Now this next one is a video so you all can see how cool this was. Back in early February, Jason suggested this changeable color. They had just gotten it and I was like what the heck, why not? Click play to see:

 

 

How COOL is this?! So the color is gold glitter at room temperature but when you go outside in the cold or run your hands under cold water, it turns completely into RED GLITTER. Below you can see the gold in warm temperatures:

 

You can see how they were almost completely turning back to gold after having been in red mode. This color was super fun!

 

And here we have my current situation… I’m usually not a fan of the purples because I feel that some do not compliment my skin tone, but this LAVENDER with lavender glitter is beyond lovely! I love it so much. I got these last Sunday and I adore them. 💜

Okay so yeah, I’ve been on a nail adventure since October and having lots of fun picking cool and different colors.

For those who haven’t tried the SNS Nail Powder, the process is pretty simple. They prep your nails, apply the powder in three dips, file and buff the color, apply sealant then two top coats for shine. It takes about 20 minutes.

Removing them is the real pain in the ass since you have to soak your nails for about 20 minutes. Sometimes you have to re-soak. Which means you should bring something to entertain yourself while this is happening. I usually just listen to my music.

…THE END…

 

So there you have it my lovelies… I’ve been having lots of fun with my nails the past 11 months and I’m going to keep having fun. I know that at some point I’ll have to give my nails a breather and I will. I mean these are my own nails and when the color is removed, they are pretty strong. Plus I started taking natural vitamins for beautiful hair, skin and nails and those are helping some.

Alrighty then… Do y’all remember the drill? Comment below and let me know if you’re also addicted to this SNS Nail Powder. If you haven’t tried it, has this post enticed you to try it? If you’re a fan, what are the colors you lean towards? Feel free to post your nail photos in the comments. How do you entertain yourself during the soaking process? I have questions. Join in on the fun and let’s share. I look forward to your feedback. Let’s chat! Go! #engage

 

Don’t forget to click on the “widgets” section up top to follow my blog on WordPress or via email and to follow me on social media. Thank you!

 

Gracias!

AnnaCris 💛

 

 

Hello. I Think I’m Back!

Hola,

My darlings! OMG, it’s been a long while since we met here hasn’t it? One year and five months to be exact. Sheesh! I totally slacked on everything that I had going on and I’m super sad about the amount of time that I’ve let pass me by. ☹

The honest truth (and it’s no excuse), is that life got in the way. My last post back in March of 2018 was about me struggling through another bout of depression, and how I hoped that I had gotten through. I did for a while and the remaining eight months of 2018 were wonderful. I basically just tried to enjoy myself in every way I could. I even fulfilled my life-long dream of traveling to Italy last October (this will be a separate post) and it was beyond amazing. I cannot WAIT to share that experience with you guys. Sadly though, as soon as 2019 began, the depression sunk its claws in again and I’ve been struggling in and out of it ever since. 😮

I had a couple of rough months earlier in the year, but I’m happy to say that I feel myself slowly getting back to normal. With the help of friends especially one who I will simply call “SK,” who’s been pushing me and encouraging me to get my shit together, I’m pulling myself out of this hole and getting back into the swing of things like my beloved blog which I’ve completely neglected. I’m excited to get back into all the projects and goals that I had planned and still want to accomplish. I’m excited about sharing these with you guys and hope that you will continue to support and cheer me on.  So stay tuned for new and fun things coming at ya! 😊

 

So basically this post is just a HELLO I’m back y’all, and I hope you haven’t forgotten me. LOL! Let’s get back it! ❤

Hit me up with a welcome back in the comments. 🙂 Go! #engage

 

Gracias,

AnnaCris ❤

 

 

 

 

I Lost My Spark But I’ve Found My Fire…

Hola,

It’s been a while my darlings! One year and three months to be exact. Sheesh! :O

So how is everyone doing? We’ve got so much to catch up on and I honestly don’t even know where to begin, but all I know is that I somehow have to begin. Writing is such a pleasure for me, and for the past year I’ve been at a loss for words. It’s the same as when I try to sketch, that creative block is maddening. It’s been a helluva stump in so many ways but I’m determined to get out of it.

I figured I’d come back with a post related to what this blog is mostly about (fashion, beauty) but that would be so random and in a way, I just wanted to post a very fitting quote that describes how I’ve been feeling for the past 15 months. Maybe if I express my thoughts regarding the past year, I can finally move on to better things and get my groove back a la Stella yes? 😉 So here goes and please bear with me:

Boy did I lose that spark! Good lord it came out of nowhere you guys. One night in December of 2016 I was ecstatic because I had finally gotten my LLC approved and I had so many plans going forward. Then in early January 2017 my flame burned out. Poof! I couldn’t understand it. I think knowing that I finally became a business owner was both shocking and freakin’ scary AF! I felt it. It was like “what do I do now?” I had no clue. I’ve wanted this for so long and now that I had it, I had no idea what my next move was and so I fell down hard. I allowed the fear of not knowing paralyze me and that was so unlike me. I usually jump in. It may take me a while, but I jump in. Not this time though. So I did nothing! Nada! Zilch! It was exasperating. 😦

I also let things that were completely out of my control bring me down. Let’s be honest, the state of this country is bleak for some of us. I worry every day at where we’re going. I now pay more attention to certain issues that didn’t seem so hopeless in the past. Last year I became almost obsessed with staying up-to-date on everything that was happening, but that just drained me to exhaustion. I needed to stop before I made myself sick. So towards the end of last year, I made myself take breaks from social media and TV and little by little my outlook became a tad less bleak. Just a tad though. I still pay attention but when I feel myself getting down, I take breaks. I mean by the looks of things, some of us have a long road ahead of us. I’ve got more to say on this one but that can be a whole other post. 😉

The other thing was my physical health. Asthma showed its ugly face and it would not let me go. I try to keep it under control but stress induces it and boy was I stressed. I then stopped working out not only because of the asthma but because I just couldn’t be bothered. I began eating way too much junk food especially at night and so I was always feeling tired and my energy was super low. When I would get home, all I wanted to do was get into bed and do nothing. It seemed like I couldn’t ever get enough sleep and on weekends I slept for most of the day especially on Saturdays. 😦 The one thing I made sure I did on Sundays was head to the salon to get my hair done. LOL! Because y’all know the whole vanity thing. 😀

But the mild depression was real y’all. I knew it from the beginning. I’ve gone through depression at various stages in my life so I know the signs. I feel like once you go through it the first time, it stays inside you and it comes out many times when you least expect it. This is always the case with me. I can be as happy as can be, and one day it’s like POW it hits me out of the blue (no pun intended). The good thing is that I know when it hits me so I somehow know how to deal with it. This episode was long though. I mean a year is a long time. Granted I had great moments in 2017 as well. It wasn’t always that black cloud over my head type of feeling. I traveled a bit, I had one of the best vacations ever with one of my best friends. I was myself often enough like I still laughed and played pranks on my friends, I shopped, I listened to music, etc. The only thing was that my soul was sad. However, if I didn’t come right out and say it to anyone, nobody would have known to be honest. I wasn’t hiding it but I’m weird that way lol. In the midst of those blue days, I could also feel okay.

The thing about me is that I handle my depressive moods in my own way. I’d like to first say that if you are suffering from depression and you cannot get through it on your own, by all means please seek help. Whatever you think will make you feel better. Nobody should feel like they have to handle depression on their own. Thankfully, with the exception of one really extreme episode about six years ago and compared to what others go through, my depression is usually mild enough that I can get through it.

I usually try to air things out. I pick a friend or two that I can talk to about absolutely anything without any judgement on their part and I vent. I listen to music as much as possible and I read a lot. I read fun books though. I love mystery, whodunit stories the most. I make an effort to get out more. I love to walk just to think about things so I do that around my neighborhood mostly because there are some pretty spots (this is also exercise). I shop a little but I am budget conscious so I know my limits. I get my hair done every Sunday as I stated above and I try to travel at least once a year to some place fun with fun travel companions. A little bit of all of this usually gets me through my blues. This time it took a bit longer but in the end, it worked.

I am blessed with a wonderful mom and great friends. My tribe is quite small but they are absolutely everything. It’s a beautiful bond and they all know who they are. They listened, they made me laugh, we went places and enjoyed and little by little and with the start of this New Year, I felt my mood start to slowly lift. Whatever kept trying to hold me back is slowly disappearing. It’s very important to have genuine people in your life. People who will listen to your problems and will sincerely try to find a way to make your life better. Who give off good vibes and have positive energy and clean auras. I am so grateful to have that circle to turn to. I would say to you to please choose your tribe wisely and when you find them, cherish them. Great friendships make a huge difference in how you overcome some situations.

So I basically allowed fear, worry, exhaustion, sadness and yes sometimes laziness to keep me down for 365+ days of my life. Days that I could have been building my new business, blogging, doing my workouts and staying healthy, and I could have been enjoying this life that the good lord has blessed me with more often than not. Please believe that not a day went by during this time that I didn’t think of this. I’d constantly berate myself for not doing what I should be doing. That I didn’t ask myself WTF was going on with me and WHEN was I going to get my shit together. Not one day went by that I didn’t try to do something but I just couldn’t. It was like there was an invisible wall that I conjured up and that wall would not budge even though I pushed. But I kept pushing and I am knocking down that wall. This post is my first step in that direction. *high five* 🙂

In closing, I’d like to reiterate that if you’re going through depression be it mild or severe and you just cannot find your way through, please seek help. There are so many options available to you. It can be via therapy, support groups, staying in touch with family and friends, outdoor activities, exercising, meditation and yoga, keeping a journal, eating healthy, volunteering or doing things that make you happy, listen to music and dance, and last if you really need it, medication may help. These are only a few of the options but my point is that you should never feel like you cannot ask for help. There is strength in asking for help when you need it the most so please do it.

So I hope you guys remember the drill… Comment below and share your story. How do you cope through those hard times when you just can’t find any motivation to do anything? What do you do to cure your blues? How do you handle dealing with things that you know are out of your control but still affect you? What do you do to get past the fear of doing something so scary but you know if you do it, your life could change for the better? Share your story below. Maybe we can help someone whose soul is also sad right now to find the strength to get through it. All it takes is one person to change another person’s life.

I’m happy to be back my loves, and I pray that this is the beginning of doing what I’ve always wanted to do ;). *fingers crossed* … I fell hard in 2017 and I lost my entire spark, but I am back up and my soul is slowly lighting up with the whole damn fire. (y’all see what I did there? Haa!) I got this! I look forward to your feedback. Let’s chat. Go! #engage

Don’t forget to click on the “widgets” section up top to follow my blog on WordPress or via email and to follow me on social media. Thank you!

Gracias,

AnnaCris ❤

It’s In The Details… Date Night

Hola,

 

Hey there darlings! How is everyone doing? I hope everyone in the US had a fantastic Thanksgiving holiday with family and friends. Mine was great and gloriously quiet. I also did some work on my side projects which was quite fun.

Did you all get a chance to read my last post “Why Small Business Saturday Rocks?” If so, did you go out and support small business Saturday on November 26th? What did you buy? If you haven’t checked out the post yet, go have a look after you finish reading this one. It’s a topic dear to my heart as I strongly believe in supporting small businesses in our communities. So again, go read it and don’t be shy about leaving a comment.

So, since the holidays are in full swing, this is a great time of the year to surprise your significant other or someone you’re currently interested in with an all-out date no? I mean think about it … It would be so romantic because cities especially New York City, are decorated beautifully which adds an extra touch in itself. Plus lots of wonderful feelings are in the air. This being said, I figured I’d let you all know what I consider to be some of the best details to make a date fun, exciting and memorable. Remember how I always say that it’s the little things that matter? Well that phrase definitely applies to this especially for the ladies. We love all those little romantic gestures. It shows that you went out of your way and made an effort and that really counts. So let’s do this my darlings:

 

DATE NIGHT SPECIALS

 

 

FLOWERS

 

 

Every woman will tell you that one of the cutest, most adorable gestures on a special date night is being handed flowers. They’re so pretty and girly and it shows that you made time to pick up something special. Remember that it’s not just about roses. There are so many different types of beautiful flowers so change it up a lil bit and pick some pretty colorful daises or something more exotic.

 

CHOCOLATE

 

 

 

Yesss! Who doesn’t love getting a box of chocolates? I know I do. They’re so yummy and studies have found that eating chocolate is good for you. Is it not or did I just make up an excuse to get some? LOL! Whatever the case may be, showing up with chocolate can earn you major brownie points (pun intended) ;). The ones with the creamy chocolate on the inside are so delicious. So take my word for it and give chocolate. 😉

 

CANDLE LIGHT DINNER

 

 

Okay, so I really want this lil dining set for two. It’s so cute! Anyway, sometimes you can make a date extra special by planning a lovely dinner at home. Where is this rule that demands that you have to go out on the town to have a special night together? On the contrary my darlings, I think it’s so much more special when someone takes the time and makes the effort to prepare dinner for you or just ordering something that you love like PIZZA! 🙂 Set the table with lovely dinnerware, light some candles, play some music and ta daaa…. A beautiful night! Or…

 

RENT A FANCY CAR

 

 

Ayeee! The car in the photo is a Tesla, and I’m in love with it. If you’re more of the going out type, you can change things up by renting a fancy car for the night. By fancy I mean something completely different than what you would normally rent. There are companies that rent these types of cars. One example is the company “Turo.” Turo is a peer-to-peer car rental company that provides a selection of locally owned classic and rare cars that you can rent from the owners. How cool is that? Turo also makes it easy to rent. Just go on their website, enter the date you’d like to rent the car, and browse their selection. Once you’ve made your choice, book it and the owner of the car will confirm or deny your request within eight hours or less. For more information about renting a Tesla or other fabulous cars, check out Turo Rentals and see what it’s all about. I really want to rent the Tesla though, hmm… Must plan a date. 😉

 

GOOD CONVERSATION

 

 

So now that we’ve covered the introductions and whether or not we’re staying in or renting an awesome car to go out on the town, at this point we should be about to sit down and chat it up. One of the most awkward moments during a date (mostly if you’ve just met) is avoiding “awkward silences.” OMG! Isn’t that the worst though? So keeping the conversation going from the very beginning is key to making it a special night. Ask questions, throw in a joke, talk about your likes and dislikes, and laugh a lot. If you’ve been dating a while, put aside your arguments and enjoy the night. My point is that both of you need to make an effort to keep everything flowing smoothly not forced. If you cannot have a great conversation with someone, chances are the date will end in a negative way. So let’s communicate people!

 

DELICIOUS FOOD

 

 

These photos of food and chocolate are making me hungry. 😉 I love when someone picks a great place to eat. A place where the food is delicious, the ambiance of the restaurant is great and the service is spectacular. If the food is yummy, you will both enjoy yourselves even more. If you’re setting up the date, do your research and ask what the person’s favorite foods are. If you’ve been together for a while, you should already know so it’s easier to choose and surprise him/her. The majority of us love food, and I think it’s such a lovely detail when someone goes beyond to take me somewhere they know for a fact that I will enjoy.

 

SPA NIGHT

 

 

Surprise your date with something totally unexpected and have a spa date night. Now this is for people that are already a couple because imagine someone you just met doing this… *queue blank stare* I know, it would be a bit creepy. LOL! So for those of you who are already a couple, change it up and schedule a spa night with the works as your date night. Hop into that awesome Tesla car you rented and don’t say where you’re going until you pull up to the location. Your mate will love it because WHO doesn’t like getting a massage? *winks*

 

DANCING

 

 

And last but not least, let’s get our groove on. I LOVE to dance. I mean it’s in my blood. Dominicans teach their children to dance from the moment they turn two. LOL! Dancing is a sure cure for the blues, it’s fun and it’s great exercise. Even if you don’t know how to dance, why not have a date at a dance class? Pick a fun genre like salsa or merengue or the tango! Yasss! (I must try the tango). Trust me that even if you have two left feet, it will be one of the funnest nights for you. You’ll laugh, you’ll dance or sorta dance 😉 and you’ll work up an appetite for the delicious food I mentioned earlier. Get out of your comfort zone and try it.

 

… THE END…

 

So there you have it my loves. These are just a few of the suggestions that I feel make for a fun and exciting date night. Whether it’s your first date or your 100th, I think it’s so important to change the routine up in any relationship. Remember that the little things always matter. For me, it’s the simplest details that always get me. So make an effort, pick something entirely different than what you normally do and have fun.

Well, what do you think? Are any of my suggestions on your list as well? What do you consider a fun, surprising night out with your love? Do you prefer going out or staying in and snuggling together? I would love to hear what’s on your list. I’ve left out a whole bunch of ideas because had I included them all, y’all would be reading forevs. Haa!

Alrighty then, you all know the drill… Comment and share your thoughts below. Let me know what you think of my suggestions, and please don’t be shy and share yours. Have you been surprised with a wonderful date or have you surprised someone with one? Either way, I’d love to hear about it. I mean there’s so much we can do right down to adventurous dates like zip lining, hiking, paintball. The world is our oyster so use it as much as you can. In any case, comment below and let’s start a conversation. Let’s help each other along because you never know who is need of spicing up their relationship *wink wink*. I look forward to your feedback. Let’s chat. Go! #engage

 

Don’t forget to click on the “widgets” section up top to follow my blog on WordPress or via email and to follow me on social media. Thank you!

 

Gracias,

AnnaCris ❤

 

Why Small Business Saturday Rocks…

Hola,

How are my lovely fashionistas doing? I hope everyone is doing fantastic. When I publish this post, it will already be the Thanksgiving holiday in the US so I wish you all a safe and happy time with many beautiful blessings. I will be spending mine with family of course, and am incredibly thankful for all the blessings that have come my way this year. The wonderful opportunities for blog collaborations, family reunited and so much more. Please stay safe and enjoy. ❤

Has everyone read my last post “Let’s All Start GOMO?” It’s been a while so you’ve all had enough time to have checked it out. If you’ve already read it, have you started going out more often? If so, please go comment and share your new adventures on that post. I’d love to hear them. 😉

So… As the holidays are upon us, so begins the shopping craze for gift giving. We all hit the stores/internet to get the best deals on whatever it is our hearts desire. Starting on Black Friday (which I never participate in because… madness!), then there’s Cyber Monday followed by all the other “sales” that the stores can come up with. But… There is one day that we all sometimes overlook because perhaps the word hasn’t spread as much as it should have. That day is SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY!

 

 

 

 

Yes my loves, This Saturday, November 26th is a very important day that you should all go out and support. This day is dear to my heart because as you all know, I plan to become a small business owner in the near future (umm, next year ;)). Small business owners are the heart of the economy because not only do they contribute to it, but they took a huge risk to follow their dream, they work super long hours to keep their dream alive and they are some of the most passionate, badass people. Did you know that small businesses make up for 99.7% of US employer firms? They also play a huge part in all sales in the US. Basically, small businesses are very important to the US and the economy so please take advantage of Saturday and go out and support.

That being said, I thought it would be great to share some of my favorite small business spots in New York City and on the internet. I love to shop, that’s a known fact. I also love discovering new places to do said shopping. Small businesses have a special feel to me because usually their shops are smaller and you have a more unique experience. But these businesses aren’t all retail. There are restaurants, cafes, health shops, salons, antique shops, repair shops, flower shops, etc. You get the gist. There are currently about 28 million small business owners.  I know, wow is right! This just shows you how vital these businesses are all around. So let’s keep them in business my loves, and take a look at my favorite spots below. Check it:

 

TICK TOCK BOUTIQUE (Jamaica, Queens, NY)

 

Tick Tock is one of my favorite places to shop for cute and affordable clothes. The store is located on the very busy Jamaica Avenue in Queens, NY where there is an array of different shops for just about every need. I discovered Tick Tock a few years ago while randomly window shopping and I was instantly in love. They’re extremely affordable and have the cutest stuff that match my style. From dresses to casual to shoes, you can always find something cute there. Unfortunately, there is no website available. #sadsies

 

El MIO SALON SPA (Corona, Queens, NY)

 

 

My cousin works at this salon so obvi, I’m a little bit partial to it ;). However, if you know me personally, you know that my cousin is an amazing hairstylist. She keeps my hair healthy and in beautiful shape. She started working at El Mio Salon Spa two years ago. Of course, wherever she goes, I follow and her clients do as well. There are six hairstylists who do everything from relaxers, blow outs, coloring, weaves, etc. (my cousin is the best though, shhh don’t tell them I said that). plus there are two women who do manis/pedis, eyebrows and other waxing. The prices here are quite affordable.

Check out their Facebook page: El Mio Salon Spa on Facebook

 

EMI JAY (Online Store)

 

 

I adore Emi Jay and what they do! Emi Jay was founded by two young girls who love fashion ❤ back in 2009. The young entrepreneurs were just 13 years old when they started this hair tie company in their home alongside their mothers. Today the company has grown so much and they’ve even expanded to make cute tees. I love their hair ties not only because they’re cute and fashionable, but they never leave a mark on your hair after you take them off. Yass! Also Emi Jay donates 20% of their profits to charity. Amazing!

Check out their website: Emi Jay – Hair Ties and More

 

MOUNTAIN ROSE HERBS (Online Store)

 

 

I adore this website and if you’ve read any of my beauty posts, you know I’ve mentioned them before. Mountain Rose Herbs is a certified organic herbal small business located in Eugene, Oregon. Their beginning was fantastic, starting out in California, passing hands from the founder to several other people (I will share the website link so you can read their story), and ending up moving the business to Oregon.

Mountain Rose Herbs offers organic herbs, teas, aroma oils/sprays and natural beauty products. I’m all about using natural products because it’s a more healthy choice. I purchase my coconut oil, turmeric root powder, clay masks, argan oil and so many other natural, organic products from this company and assure you that they are simply fantastic! Please check them out and try their products. You will love them as much as I do.

Visit Mountain Rose Herbs: Mountain Rose Herbs

 

PARA TI COLOMBIA CON SABOR RESTAURANT (Hillside, NY)

 

 

 

Para Ti Colombia Con Sabor translates to: For You Colombia With Flavor. This Colombian restaurant is one of my favorite places for Latin food. One of my cousins put me on to this place a while ago. The food is delicious and the service is great. My favorite is their steak which I usually order with rice and beans and a side of tostones (fried green plantains) #yummy! Lord I want some now! Oh and they also deliver around the area so if you’re in the mood for some delicious Latin food and you live in Queens, NY, go check them out.

Here is a link to their Facebook page: Para Ti Colombia Con Sabor Restaurant

 

Martha’s Country Bakery (Forest Hills, Queens, NY)

 

 

Martha’s County Bakery described in one word is YUMSIES! They have several stores but the one closest to me is in Forest Hills, Queens. They have the most abso amazing everything. From red velvet cake, to cupcakes, to pastries and pies and oh my God cheesecakes! The store is super cute and quaint and the service is great. You’ve probably tried them but if you haven’t, go on and get some deliciousness this Saturday. 😉

 

PEARLS AND ROCKS (Online Store)

 

 

Aye! I am so in love with Pearls and Rocks. This is my new favorite store to purchase accessories from. I discovered pearls and rocks on Instagram. They followed me (btw, follow my blog’s Instagram page. My handle is @crisanna6), and of course I followed back after perusing their profile. Pearls and Rocks is an at home mother/daughter run e-boutique (their story is so cute).  What made me click the link in their bio was this beautifully patterned blanket scarf which I now own. Check it:

 

 

See? And while on their site, I discovered even more fabulous items like the Eternity Diamond Bangle Bracelet above and a couple of other things as you can see in the above photo. Pearls and Rocks also sell necklaces, earrings, watches and other cute stuff. I am so happy with my new accessories. The service was wonderful. It didn’t take long for the order to ship, their prices are affordable, I loved everything I purchased and even the packaging was wonderfully girly! Please go check them out this Saturday if you’re addicted to accessories like I am.

Visit Pearls and Rocks: Pearls and Rocks Online

 

 

…THE END…

 

So there you go my loves! These are a few of my favorite small business spots. Don’t forget to click on the links so you can check out each place. Please take time on Saturday, November 26th to visit a small business shop and make a purchase. You will be supporting a wonderful cause and contributing to our nation’s economy in a good way. Plus, you’ll be keeping someone’s dream alive so do not hesitate to spend a lil money for the cause. 🙂

Remember the only way to keep this part of our economy alive and strong is by supporting in your community or online. Whatever it is that you’re looking for to gift for the holiday season or for yourself, please consider shopping at a small business shop.

To those who are small business owners, I congratulate you for following your dream and I wish you continued success. If you’re like me and have a goal to open your own shop, you can start by supporting others this Saturday. Remember you get what you give so go ahead and support your fellow small business owners while you get started on your own. Also, do your research because there are tons of companies out there that can help you get started along with the Small Business Administration. Check out companies that focus on helping small business owners to get started with funding and other resources like the company Fundera. They assist you in getting small business loans by matching you with the top lenders in your industry. Pretty cool huh?

 

 

Well my darlings what do you think? Did I convince you to participate and shop on Small Business Saturday? I hope your answer is YES because this is one important cause. What do you think about my favorite spots? I mean it was a diverse list from clothes to Latin food to organic products. Haaa! I bet some of you already clicked on some of the links. ;). If you are planning to do any shopping on Saturday, where will you be shopping? Did you know about Small Business Saturday already? Are you like me and can’t wait to start your own business? OMG! I have so many questions. LOL you can read how passionate I am no? 😉

So y’all already know the drill… Comment and share your thoughts below. Were you already planning to shop on Saturday at a small business shop near you or on the internet? If you weren’t planning to, did I convince you to do so? Did you like any of my favorites? Comment below and let’s start a fun conversation. I mean who doesn’t like to shop? Go on now and comment below. I look forward to your feedback. Let’s chat. Go! #engage

 

Don’t forget to click on the “widgets” section up top to follow my blog on WordPress or via email and to follow me on social media. Thank you!

 

Gracias,

AnnaCris ❤

 

Let’s All Start GOMO…

Hola,

How are my darlings doing? I’m hoping you’ve all had a fantastic weekend. Mine was pretty busy. I worked on building my empire, multitasking on different sides of it, and I was super productive the entire weekend. I worked on my other social media side-project too which is another great adventure. Plus, I did some girly thangs :). I took a wonderful detox bath on Friday night, I got my hair done, I gave myself a facial and did my eyebrows so all in all, it was a good one.

Has everyone read my last post “Why I Tried Warm Lemon Water and Turmeric Milk?” It was all about the healthy lifestyle. I discussed my experience with both. Do they live up to the hype we’ve been hearing on the internet streets? Were my results positive? Well go take a look at the post after you’re done with this one and find out. Oh and feel free to comment if you’ve also tried either or both and let’s compare our results. Deal? 🙂

So my comeback post back in September (haha, like that was so long ago), was a huge hello to fall and my favorite things about this season. Now I’d like to get out and enjoy those things. Y’all know how much I love adventures but given that I’m trying to build a business, I’m sticking to a budget that keeps me from going out more often. However, there are tons of things I can still do that can get me out of the house and experience life. So I decided I wanted to share with my loves the things I plan to do this fall/winter to GOMO! (Uhh, don’t know what that is? Well it stands for “Going Out More Often”). GOMO is taking over the old FOMO (“Fear of Missing Out”) which seemed to be a thing a few years ago. I was not affected by FOMO but I’m all for GOMO! 😉 So let’s see what I’ve got planned:

 

MY PLANS FOR GOMO

 

NIGHTS OUT WITH THE SQUAD

 

 

I LOVE spending time with my friends. I don’t have a ton but the ones I have in my life, those that I consider my true dear friends, are pretty awesome women. Whether they’re friends or family members (love my cousins), I need to make more of an effort to get together with them. Nothing beats a day of brunch or a night out for dinner, great conversations, laughter and of course getting all dolled up with the squad. I’m thinking at least twice a month if time permits. ❤

 

ROAD TRIP TO WATCH THE CHANGING OF THE LEAVES

 

 

One of the reasons I adore fall is because of this beautiful scenery. The changing of the leaves is spectacular especially when you head towards Upstate New York. The colors are breathtaking and the ride is so calming. I had a friend who would take a drive with me almost every weekend just for this occasion, with no exact destination but just to drive and catch a glimpse of this beautiful sight. Yes, this is definitely on my to-do list for fall. 😉

 

VISIT A WINERY

 

 

Those who know me know that I’m not a huge drinker. However, I do love a good wine and visiting a winery is always fun. The tasting is great and learning about the whole process is intriguing. Best of all though, you get to buy your favorite bottles and take them home for those cozy fall and winter nights. I think fall is the best time for this adventure because it’s not so hot and not so cold that you’re comfortable being outside if need be.

 

MEET-UPS (NETWORKING)

 

 

Now this is way beyond my comfort zone. Meet-ups are the rave in the networking world. They’re actually pretty cool but if you’re like me and you don’t like small talk, these can be overwhelming. Meet-ups are events or gatherings for people with similar likes. So for me I’m building up to go to a bloggers and/or a fashion meetup sometime soon. They are great events to meet new people, make new friends and definitely make connections for your business. Yikes! I’m lil nervous about this one y’all.

A great way to create one of these events if you’re interested is via the website Eventbrite. You can create different types of activities like parties, networking, classes, sporting events, etc.  You can also sell your tickets for your event, track progress and they even offer discounts for non-profits. Eventbrite supports activities in many major cities. Go take a look at their Online Event Management Page to set up an event. I plan to create a bloggers meetup via this website in NYC at some point so bloggers stay tuned. 🙂

HAUNTED HOUSE/HAYRIDE ATTRACTION

 

 

Yasss! Going to a haunted house attraction is so much fun to do with people who love the spookiness of Halloween. I did it two years ago and loved it. I haven’t done a haunted hayride so that is definitely on my list this year. Who’s with me? 😉

 

WEEKEND TRIPS

 

 

Over the summer I took several weekend trips, and they were so awesome that I’m hooked. I flew to Atlanta for a wonderful weekend, I took a road trip with great friends to Boston for my birthday, and I flew to Miami for a family wedding on Labor Day weekend. Now I know I mentioned that I’m on a budget and all because of the whole building an empire thing, but I’ve become rather savvy at finding good deals on flights if the weekend trip requires flying. Also, using a travel rewards credit card can get you a tremendous amount of great travel perks. I plan to take a couple more weekend trips before the year ends. I’d love to visit Atlanta again and perhaps New Orleans. 😉

 

APPLE/PUMPKIN/STRAWBERRY PICKING

 

Red Gala apples, hanging in a tree.

 

This makes for a really fun day especially if the weather is perfect. Plus there’s not only apple picking, but there’s pumpkin and strawberry picking too! Ayee! I want to do all three. There are some cool pumpkin and strawberry picking places out in Long Island, New York that I’m going to research and as I’ve already mentioned, the squad and I have an apple picking trip scheduled this month which should be loads of fun! I’m so excited for this. Plus you can get into all sorts of shenanigans while picking. 😉

 

CONCERTS/COMEDY

 

 

I went to a Billy Joel concert at Madison Square Garden last year and it was awesome. Two years before I went to a Jay Z concert and it was freakin’ fabulous. I love music. Music heals the soul and calms the mind. I never leave home without my iPod, and I’ve been known to sing while I walk the streets of New York City. LOL! Hey, I’m Dominican. We’re born with music in our blood ;). Anyway, I want to go to a couple concerts if possible. Umm, I’d really like to see Beyonce though. Yep I said it. The woman does give a good show.

Also, I saw Kevin Hart’s “What Now Tour” at MSG last year and that was completely hilar! OMG, I laughed so hard I nearly cried, my cheeks and tummy hurt from laughing so much. So yeah, laughter is up there with music. Both are great remedies for the mind and soul. So comedy clubs are also a way to GOMO!

 

WALKS

 

 

I love taking long walks. Not only is it great for exercising but it’s an opportunity to clear my thoughts. With the exception of a shower, I do some of my best thinking while taking long walks. GOMO doesn’t necessarily have to be nights on the town or flying to some wonderful getaway. When I don’t have any plans on a weekend and weather permitting, I love taking a walk around my neighborhood. I live in a very pretty area where there are tree-lined streets and little cafes and sitting areas to enjoy. Walking is great for getting my creative juices flowing too. Who knows what cool things I can find that I can photograph and post to my blog’s Instagram page!

 

FAMILY  HOLIDAY TRIP

 

 

I LOVE to travel so much! I truly wanted to be a pilot when I was a kid so my obsession with airplanes is real y’all. Like flying a fighter jet real! LOL, no seriously this is on my bucket list. Anyway, whatever chances I get to head out of New York, I take them. I had so much fun in Miami with family back in September that the plan is to head back to Florida for the Christmas holiday. I’ve been researching flights for both me and my mommy and am hoping I’ll find something that won’t break the budget. The idea is to spend Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve/Day with family in Orlando. Ahhh, I can see the fun now… Dancing, delicious food, laughter… so much laughter, late nights just talking and lots and lots of family shenanigans! This will be the perfect farewell to 2016 no? I’m crossing fingers that this one comes through. 😉

 

… THE END …

 

 

So there you go my loves! These are my plans for GOMO this fall. Don’t they all sound like fun? I’m really looking forward to getting out and doing all these fabulous things. How much fun would my fall season be?! I think experiences are so much more important than spending money on things we probably won’t use a year from now. We all work so hard and so many things can stress us out that creating moments with people we love and whose company we enjoy is so necessary. Don’t you all agree?

Life is about experiences, it’s about the special things that touch our hearts, clear our minds and heal our soul. Even a simple walk can make a rough time so much better. Keep in mind that you can do lots of things on your own if nobody is available. Be brave! Create beautiful memories. Experiences are what we remember when we’re old and telling wise stories to the younger folks. Experiences are what life is all about so join me in GOMO and collect wonderful moments to share. Who’s in?

 

 

Do y’all agree that GOMO is the IN thing to do now? If so, what are your plans to GOMO for fall? Are any of my plans on your list as well? Why not comment below and share yours and let’s compare. Maybe there’s something on your list that I’d love to add to mine.

Now y’all already know the drill… Share your thoughts and let’s start a conversation. I bet you have some awesome experiences to share so don’t be shy. The world is so crazy today that I think starting a conversation about good things, moments that light up our lives is so important! Well… whatcha waiting for? Join me in this fun discussion. I look forward to your feedback. Let’s chat. Go! #engage

 

Don’t forget to click on the “widgets” section up top to follow my blog on WordPress or via email and to follow me on social media. Thank you!

 

Gracias,

AnnaCris ❤

 

Why I Tried Warm Lemon Water & Turmeric Milk…

Hola,

How goes it my darlings? I’m hoping everyone is doing great and that you all had a great Monday. I have to admit that I didn’t expect to be back this soon as I’m still feeling that writer’s block. I started to write last Wednesday, and I downloaded all the photos I needed for this post then I just stopped. I don’t know what’s up with me but I’m forcing myself right now to push through. Hopefully this funk will disappear soon.

Has everyone read my previous post “Hello Fall?” It was a cool one listing my favorite things about autumn. It’s my favorite season and although I am from the Dominican Republic and LOVE the beach, I adore fall. I adore it because I get to wear booties, hoodies and pretty scarves which are all my weaknesses ;). If you haven’t read the post yet, finish this one then go on over and check it out. Also, feel free to comment your favorites if they did not make the list.

So for the past several months I’ve been testing out a couple of healthy drinks that have been raved about on the internet streets. I’ve read many an article about the wonders of warm lemon water and turmeric milk – aka: golden milk. I decided why not test them out myself? Y’all know I’ve been dealing with exhaustion, plus I read that lemon water can help get your hormones back in check. The word is that turmeric helps with reducing inflammation including the sinuses and the lungs, and since I suffer from awful nasal polyps (I’ve had three surgeries to remove them) and from really bad asthma, maybe this could ease my symptoms naturally. So yes, I tried and tested both drinks to see what all the hoopla was about. With all that being said, here is what I discovered:

WARM LEMON WATER

 

 

Lemons as you should all know by now, are rich in vitamin C so they can help you fight the common cold when you add them to your tea.  I for one cannot have tea without squeezing some fresh lemon juice into it. Plus let’s not forget how yummy lemonade is and when it’s made from scratch like my mommy makes it, it’s beyond delicious. Warm lemon water is known to raise your energy levels and boy do I need that. Anyway, it is said that lemons provide a whole bunch of health benefits. However, since I’m no expert, I’m not going to sit here and claim to know that all those benefits are true. I will discuss MY experience…

 

 

I started drinking warm lemon water (which I began documenting) on October 11, 2015. Back then I was feeling awful. I had stomach pains every day, I burped nonstop and I could barely eat. Plus I had insane anxiety and that feeling of butterflies in my tummy all the time. I had already research the lemon water craze and I figured why not try it. That morning of the 11th, I took the leap and I’m so happy I did.

Seven days after I started it my stomach was feeling better with hardly any pain and much less burping. Two weeks after, there was even more improvement and a month after, my stomach pains were completely gone, no burping, and that anxious feeling and butterflies in my tummy were gone. My energy, which was nowhere to be found, came back again and my skin got a nice glow. I was also able to eat like a normal human being again.

I drank this every morning for about five months and then I stopped. You know how you get tired of doing something every day so I took a break? Thankfully, my stomach remained pain free but my period got super crazy. Around March I got a really bad sinus and ear infection so my ENT specialist put me on a round of antibiotics and prednisone. I feel like these meds (the prednisone mostly) screwed up my system and my hormones. My period was ridiculous from March through July and I was going bananas. I remembered reading that warm lemon water could help settle your hormones so I started drinking it again and lo and behold, In August my period went back to normal and has been ever since.

So I’ve become a huge fan of this warm lemon water craze. For me it’s worked and since I’ve documented it, I can say that it was this drink that helped me through my pains and hormonal craziness. It may not have the same effect for you or anyone else who tries it but for me, it worked wonderfully.

I squeeze half a lemon into a mug of warm water every morning after brushing my teeth and before eating anything.

TURMERIC MILK (GOLDEN MILK)

 

 

From my research, turmeric originated in Southeast Asia including India. It is said to have many medicinal and culinary purposes. It’s got a strong orange-yellowish color and it can be used either fresh or as a powder as shown in the above photo. There are so many articles out now describing all the medicinal purposes of this plant but again, I am no expert so I’m just going by the effects I’ve noticed when using turmeric.

After my third surgery to remove nasal polyps in May of 2015, I did extremely well. Although a few polyps came back throughout the months post-surgery, they were tiny and did not affect me as much. Although they were coming back, my ENT specialist was able to keep them at bay and if I got a sinus infection which I did several times, he’d prescribe prednisone to reduce them and that usually helped. I always got my sense of smell back (a very important issue for me) and I was able to breathe. My asthma was non-existent this whole time. I kept reading about turmeric and “golden milk” and how it was great for reducing sinus infections and inflammation in general. Plus I also read that it helped keep asthma at bay and cleared the lungs. I really did not want to keep taking antibiotics and prednisone so I figured I’d help my system along the natural way.

I started drinking the turmeric milk back in June of this year. Not on a daily basis like I did with the warm lemon water. I drank it two times per week before going to bed. Since I only did it twice a week, it took a while to see any real results but I do have to say that I slept like a baby each night I drank it and my skin just got even better. That was noticeable pretty quickly.

I’d say it took about three weeks into it for me to see real results with my sinuses and they were positive. I drank the golden milk on nights when I felt stuffy and I have to say three weeks into drinking the milk, I felt my sinuses clear up a bit. Not to an extreme but I was able to feel the difference. Unfortunately, I ran out of the turmeric so I haven’t drunk it since August. It’s a shame because in mid-August I was around someone who was smoking (the worst trigger for polyps and asthma for someone like me) literally right next to me, and it killed me. So much so that when my ENT specialist prescribed prednisone yet again, it did nothing to help and that’s a first. I’ve felt awful, stuffed up and with asthma out of control ever since. I need to pick up some turmeric soon because now is when I can really test it. In any case, I’ll share the recipe with you all…

I use the following recipe:

One cup of milk or organic coconut milk (I prefer regular whole milk)

1 teaspoon of turmeric powder

1/4 teaspoon of ground pepper

1 tablespoon of organic coconut oil (if you’re not using coconut milk)

1 teaspoon of raw honey (to sweeten)

Pour milk in a pot and add all the ingredients minus the honey. Stir continuously until everything has blended then turn the stove on low. Continue to stir and when the milk is hot enough, add the teaspoon of honey. I like to let the milk come to a boil before turning it off. However, other recipes I’ve seen say to turn off once the milk is hot. It’s your choice. Whichever the case, let it cool off then drink. I think it’s yummy and the ground pepper gives it a bit of spicy kick.  😉

If nothing, with all the positive effects that is being said about turmeric, drink the milk for great skin, to boost your immune system or just because you want to drink something tasty before bed and will help you sleep soundly. I will order more turmeric powder and continue to test it so that I can really find out if it does indeed aid with reducing inflammation in the sinuses and all the other benefits described in articles. Once I’m back on the turmeric milk for a few months, I’ll write a follow-up post to describe my results. Deal? 🙂

… The End …

So there you go my loves. All in all I’ve had good experiences with both warm lemon water and turmeric milk. Like I said, I need a lil bit more time to continue to test the turmeric milk and see what else it can help with, but so far I’ve had positive results. I do have to say that my skin is even better than usual since I’ve been drinking both so that counts for a lot of somethings.

What do y’all think? Do you think you’ll try one or both? If so, what would you lean towards trying the warm lemon water or the turmeric milk and why? I’m thinking you all might go for the warm lemon water because the turmeric milk may sound a bit weird and unknown. Yes? Trust me, it does taste good and if you like spicy, this has that kick to it.

Alrighty, y’all remember the drill… comment below and let me know what you think. If you’ve tried either or both, let me know your results and your feedback. If you’re debating on trying either or both, did I at least sway you to give them a shot? Don’t be shy. Share your thoughts, opinions, results. Let’s compare. I mean were all trying to do anything that can keep us healthy these days, and both of these drinks seem to offer a lot of health benefits so why not try them? Okay loves, join the conversation. I look forward to your feedback on this one. Let’s chat. Go! #engage

Don’t forget to click on the “widgets” section up top to follow my blog on WordPress or via email and to follow me on social media. Thank You!

Gracias,

AnnaCris ❤

Hello Fall…

Hola!

OMG how are my darlings doing? It’s been over three months since I last posted, and I’ve been berating myself almost every day for so much slacking. Good lord! I really have NO excuse except that I couldn’t find any motivation to write. We can call it “writer’s block” or we can call it “laziness” whichever works for you. I’m guilty. LOL!

So how has everyone been? How did the summer treat you since I haven’t posted all season long? I have to say I did enjoy my summer. I hit the beach a few times and got a pretty bronzed sun tan which is always great. I took adventures and visited Atlanta, Boston and Miami. I celebrated another birthday (#teamleo) and although I slacked on the blog, I focused on establishing my blog’s brand on Instagram (y’all should go follow me – check out my widgets section for the link). So all in all, my summer was pretty fantastic. How was yours?

While I still feel a lil blocked, I really want to get back to blogging consistently and after going through my list of topics, I decided to get back into things with an ode to my favorite season – fall. Not about what’s trending (that will come at a later date) but just the things we who love this season look forward to. I think this topic is easy enough to ease me back into things. So let’s begin:

 

WHY I ADORE FALL

 

HOODIES!

 

 

Hoodies are one of my absolute favorites. They’re so cozy and keep you warm on those chilly autumn days when you don’t necessarily need a jacket. They come in a bunch of different styles and there are some that are even a bit dressy so you can wear with heels. I’m in search of a sweater dress with a hood for this season so if y’all see one, please let me know. 😉

 

COOLER WEATHER:

 

 

While we all love those lazy days of summer so we can lounge on the beach, I’m not crazy about heat and humidity. In New York City it gets to the point where you can barely breathe. This does not work for those like me who suffer from asthma and allergies. Therefore, I look forward to the fall months because while it’s not freezing cold, it’s cool enough to not suffocate. Plus you can bust out the jackets, the scarves and the booties. Yasss! ❤

 

LIGHT JACKETS:

 

 

Since the bomber jacket is on trend for fall, I figured I’d use a photo of one. However, there are lighter jackets that you can wear when it’s not too cold. The bomber jacket even has a variety of styles so you can pick the one that is best suited for the weather in your area. Light jackets are great to keep you warm when it’s a chilly evening and you can add a scarf for extra warmth.

 

HOT CHOCOLATE!

 

 

Yumsies!! OMG my mommy makes the BEST hot chocolate in all the land. There are these bars of real chocolate that are from the Dominican Republic that make for the yummiest hot chocolate ever. My mom makes it from scratch. There’s none of that instant stuff for her. Ask anyone in my familia and they will tell you she is notorious for this. Hot chocolate is a wonderful, delicious alternative for coffee. There is nothing better than spending an evening under some cozy blankets, reading a great book or watching a movie, and drinking some hot chocolate. No?

 

SCARVES:

 

 

You all should know my love for scarves by now. If you know me personally and if you’ve followed my blog, you know I’m a bit obsessed with colorful, pretty scarves. For fall, you can choose a lighter material since it’s still not so cold out. The infinity style or regular style both work. You can choose bright colors or earth toned colors to go with the season. I, of course, prefer the bright colors the whole year round. LOL.

 

PUMPKIN SPICE LATTE:

 

 

While I’m not a huge fan of the pumpkin spice latte, I added it to the list because for the past several years it seems to be synonymous of fall. I have to admit that I’ve never had one so I shouldn’t judge. The reason I haven’t been inclined to try one is because I’m not a fan of pumpkin anything. However, I know many of you are so here it is. It’s something to look forward to. In fact, I believe Starbucks has already put in on its menu…

 

BOOTIES!

 

 

Can I get a high five for booties everywhere? OMG I adore them just as much as I adore boots! Booties are a fantastic alternative for boots during the months of September and October when it’s still not too cold. They can dress up your fall outfit beautifully. I love the thick-heeled booties the most because they add a certain kind of sexy and badass to whatever you’re wearing.

 

APPLE PICKING:

 

 

Wanna hear a cute/funny story? So some of the girls in my #squad and I started an apple picking tradition at a place in Warwick, New York. It’s a beautiful drive with all the leaves changing and it’s great to be around friends. Last year we get there and decided to throw a blanket on the grass, eat and drink some wine (It’s also a winery), and have conversations about everything. Anyway to make a long story short, we were so into our conversations, laughing, eating ice cream, and drinking wine that we totally missed the apple picking part. Haaaa! By the time we realized we wanted to do some picking, it was too late so we ended up buying baskets of apples. Bwahahaa… I can’t with us. This year we’ve planned it for early October and we made a promise to do the apple picking FIRST. So yeah, fall is great weather for picking apples. 😉

 

BOOTS!

 

 

I couldn’t write this post without including my all time, super favorite fashion item… The boot! Boots are my weakness. I can’t even describe how much I adore them. For fall, a tall wedge like the boot above (I own this pair) is great. Anything that does not have fur or is too warm for your footsies since it’s not too cold out works great during September and early October. Riding boots are excellent for this weather as well.

 

LEAVES CHANGING:

 

 

The changing of the leaves is one of the most beautiful acts of nature. It’s one of the top five reasons why I love fall. Can you imagine a more beautiful site? This is so lovely that you’re just mesmerized. Central Park in New York City is just gorgeous during this time of year and if you live on a tree-lined street as I do, you can’t help but stop to admire and take a photo.

… The End …

 

So there you have it my loves. My favorite things associated with fall. I’m sure I’ve missed several others but these always stand out to me. If you love this season as much as I do, comment below and let me know what your favorites are. We can compare and discuss – what fun! So don’t be shy. I know it’s been a while but I love to engage with my readers so PLEASE share your thoughts.

Yay! I did it! I think my whole thing with blogging is I just have sit down in front of my laptop and start typing. Once I get into it, there is no stopping me. I feel like this was the perfect topic to get back into writing. I didn’t have to do much research just go with my favorites, find photos and viola… I’m hoping this has opened the motivation doors for consistency.

Anyway, you all should still know the drill… Comment below and let me know what you think of my choices. Is fall your favorite season too? If it’s not, tell us what is and why. This could make for a fun discussion and a little competition for what is the best season. I still vote for fall! 🙂 So share away. I’m looking forward to your feedback and since it’s been three months, let’s start a conversation to get my juices flowing. Deal? Okay let’s chat. Go! #engage

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Gracias,

AnnaCris ❤