I felt inspired today to be as transparent as I think I ever have been on here. I have been diagnosed with anxiety for as long as I can remember. It was something I was ashamed of for a long time. It wasn't something I necessarily hid but I also wasn't one to promote it. Through my college years I have come across a lot of others with anxiety and I am happy to see mental health is being more regularly spoken about because there are on average 40 million adults in the United States alone that struggle with anxiety each and every day. 

When this whole "self-quarantine" concept came about I figured it wouldn't be such a big transition or deal for me. Personally, I am a homebody. Little did I know the impact it would have on my mental health and the mental health of so many others around me. One of the best sources to naturally relieve anxiety is to keep yourself busy and get out and about. I personally am at my happiest and best when I have a full schedule of things to do. The more the better! It keeps me from over thinking, motivates me to be productive, and keeps me moving. Sadly, quarantine has the opposite effect on the body and soul. While yes is it EXTREMELY important we all remain home and not out doing our regular routine, I think what we are all kind of glossing over is people's mental health. The first thing they tell you when you are suffering from anxiety, depression, etc. is to get up and out! Obviously that is not an option right now. I mentioned to a friend that I was shocked that in all these news articles and TV programs I have seen little to no mention about mental health resources readily available during this time. Which is what brought me to writing this post on my little platform today. SOCIAL ISOLATION DOES NOT MEAN STOP BEING SOCIAL. 

I know how horrible it feels (after 10 days of self isolating) and how much of a hit it is taking on my mental health. I have been worried more times then I want to admit, have had panic attacks, and felt so alone. I want people who are feeling like me to know you are not alone. I went on Twitter to see if there has been any mental health talk going on and there has. There are so many people who feel the same way (I will be attaching screenshots below!) It is not easy. Another remedy a lot of health professionals suggest is to keep a steady routine and let's face it this corona virus has thrown our routines out the door. It is so easy right now to coop yourself up in your room, to stay in your PJs all day, and to literally let yourself feel bleh. Trust me I've slept in later then I'll ever want to admit aloud. It is a toxic cycle that comes with the self-quarantine cycle. But I have decided to do plenty of research and provide alternatives and tips + tricks here so those who feel like their mental health and self-quarantine don't mix don't feel alone or like this is going to keep you down. 

I just wanted to remind you all to open a window, smile, and remind yourself that this is not permanent. We will all be out soon. I hope this post finds you well and brought some sunshine to this cloudy time. Stay safe & calm! 

1. Self-Care Day: It is easy to let yourself feel bleh during this time. There is really nothing motivating us to get up and get dressed and do our hair/makeup/skincare routine. But let making yourself feeling good be the motivation. Start off with making yourself a yummy fruit smoothie (tons of studies show the Vitamin C in fruits helps with mood/anxiety). Then take a nice long bubble bath (imagine the episode of FRIENDS when Monica runs Chandler a bath). Do your skincare routine. Your skin needs it more than ever! Between all the junk food we are consuming and being cooped up inside, give your skin an extra boost! Do a face mask (feet/hand mask, under-eye mask...whichever you choose!) Cuddle yourself up in a comfy robe and watch a funny movie. Laughter truly is the best medicine. 

2. Sit Outside & Read: Like I mentioned above Vitamin C is key! Sit outside and read a book (Hack: Apple Books has free books that you can choose from if you don't want to spend $) Whether it be a self-help book, a mystery novel, or any other book you've had on your list take this time to read. I will be reading "Where the Crawdads Sing" if anyone else wants to discuss!

3. Don't Sleep-In Every Day: This is the most difficult one for me. Anyone who knows me personally knows I love to sleep (haha!) When I have nothing to do my mind screams let's go nap. But right now we have to fight it. Sleeping in till 3:00 P.M. isn't going to help your mental health, trust me. Try to get on a sleep schedule, not only will it give you somewhat of a routine back. 

4. Turn Off the News: While it is important to keep up to date with what is happening and what the CDC and government officials are advising us to do, don't fixate. I just have my Apple News notifications on so I can check in every so often and stay up to date but I have cut watching the news off. Also try not to rely on what your friends and family are sharing on Facebook and other social media platforms in reference to the virus. It is so easy to end up in a hole of media stories that'll just send you into a panic. Stay up to date, but don't stay on it. Let's face it the media loves to give us a story that will keep us digging for more and right now that's not what are focus needs to be. 

5. Let Your Inner Artist Show: Order some puzzles, coloring books, and paint by the numbers on Amazon Prime. Make sure you disinfect your packages before opening but it is the safest way to get your art supplies right now. These activities will include bright colors and keep your brain busy, which will keep you from overthinking or getting bored. 

6. Get Organized: Now is a great time to clean out your drawers and closets! I have begun cleaning out beauty products that my recent allergy tests deemed me allergic to so I can give to friends and family products that I have barely used or haven't used, donate unopened products, and trash what is expired or used (like mascara which you should NEVER share!) Watch Marie Kondo's special on Netflix and see what "sparks joy" and what doesn't in your home and make bags to donate to Goodwill or toss! That way you are utilizing this free time in a productive manner. 

7. Call and FaceTime your People!: A lot of us are feeling lonely right now. If you are home with your family do a game night or movie night. But keep in mind a lot of people are either quarantining alone or with not a ton of people around. Check in on EVERYONE! You have the time now! Call an old friend to catch up, FaceTime your grandparents to see if they need anything, or have virtual wine nights with your BFF or girl squad on Zoom! We all are going to feel disconnected at one point or another so let's keep each other company...social isolation doesn't mean to stop being social! 

8. Be One with Nature (Kinda): One of my favorite things to watch, other than Disney+ and Netflix, right now is LIVE streams from zoos and aquariums! It is so peaceful to watch the animals do their thing. Sit by a window with your tablet or computer and watch your favorite animals from afar. Trust me they are more entertaining than you think! My favorite is to watch the penguins and of course the meerkats at ZOO Miami! Here is a link for a bunch of different animal LIVE Streams, click here! 

After a year of growth and lots of hard lessons, I decided that I was missing a piece of me I used to love and that was writing and sharing my life with all of you. I have decided to take this blog in a whole new direction. I will be sharing more lifestyle posts whether it be my trips to Disney World with Eric or ways to update your resume in a way to catch future employer's eyes. I want this to be more than just a fashion blog. I want it to be your source to "creating your own future one day at a time..." 

I am more motivated than ever to create this space to be something I am proud of and that you all love. I also want to share more insight to what it is like to have type one diabetes and tips + tricks for those who are also diagnosed. I hope this blog serves as a happy corner in your weekly lives. I'll be covering some of my favorite topics: fashion, beauty, lifestyle, travel, cooking, home decor, type one diabetes, DIY, and more!

Thank you to everyone who has loved and supported me since the beginning of my journey creating it's a pashion! 
I am so, so grateful for this little community we've built and can't wait to see how much it grows! Wishing you all a very happy December. Don't forget to follow along for lots of FUN content + posts by subscribing & following.

Happy February & welcome back to my blog! One of my new year resolutions for the blog, was to not only share fashion, beauty, and travel/lifestyle but also write more meaningful posts that I hope you guys can relate to. Today I wanted to talk about self-love. This is a topic we see all over social media nowadays and even Justin Bieber is singing about it (in case you don't get the reference).  When most people hear the term they think about taking a nap or putting on a face mask (because for some reason I think a sheet mask will solve 90% of my problems), but it is a lot more than that. 

For years I thought I was so confident, and yeah part of me was, but for the most part it is was not genuine. When I hit my twenties I began to realize I needed a change. I needed to start valuing myself and doing things that would benefit me instead of always trying to please others. Someone once told me you will never have a healthy relationship with anyone, if you can't even love and have a relationship yourself. It was one of the pieces of advice I will never forget. It is important to be your own source of happiness! Your relationship, friends/family, and work can also bring you joy but you should be the main source.  

It is easier said than done and it will always be a work in progress but learn to put you first. Learn to embrace your flaws! There's a quote that goes: "You can be the ripest, juiciest peach in the world, and there's still going to be somebody who hates peaches.” The hardest thing to do especially with social media today is not to compare yourself to anyone else, but we shouldn't. Since I have stopped comparing myself, it is like a weight off of my shoulders. None of us are perfect and we all have our strengths and weaknesses. As an older cousin to lots of young girls, I always want them to know their worth and the importance of loving themselves inside and out. 

So during this month of love don't just show extra love to your bf's/husbands, friends, and family but to YOU! Treat yo self! Have a spa day with a friend, start saving up for a fun trip,  or have your favorite meal, but most importantly start (or continue) to work on your confidence and realizing you are worth so much! Thank you for reading my blog posts + I hope this post inspired you in some way! Also you can shop my look below. Have a great week!

Sweater:Shop Aria Rose (currently sold out - similar here) | Jeans: GAP | Shoes: Adidas |
Purse: Handmade from a shop in Amsterdam (similar here) | Neckalces: Taudrey, Taudrey (similar here) | 
Earrings: Taudrey | Bracelets: David Yurman , David Yurman , Taudrey 

2018. So much has happened the past year and while 2018 was full of ups and downs I am incredibly grateful for where it has lead me today. My year had a heartbreaking start, we lost my abuelo in January. I loved my abuelo so very much. He was the funniest and sweetest man in the whole world. It was hard to lose him suddenly, but I know in my heart that he is constantly watching over me and sending me love. He was such an incredible man and I actually had a Taudrey necklace made (thank you to Tiffany and the #TaudSquad for helping me create such a meaningful piece) with the quote "Take it Easy", because my abuelo always said that to me. I have dealt with anxiety since I was very young so it is nice to have this reminder always with me to step back and breathe. 

This year I also started two new ventures: I began working as the Marketing and Social Media assistant for a non-profit SCORE Miami Dade. This organization provides workshops and free mentorships to small businesses in Miami Dade county and it has been a lot of fun being in charge of their social media and marketing efforts. I also helped launched their first newsletter and that was amazing! I also worked with local artist Rey Jaffet to completely create + design his website. You can check it out here! I am incredibly happy that I have found my passions in life and it is amazing to see my hard work + dreams coming to life.

I also turned 21 this year in May- yay! I was really happy to celebrate with my family that day. My family may drive me a little crazy at times but I love them a lot and I am grateful that they have loved and supported me through thick and thin. I was also very happy I got to celebrate at brunch with my friends! I love the people I surround myself with. Nothing makes me happier than a mimosa and good company! 

I also began to date my boyfriend Eric this year, you all saw him featured in my previous blog post! I am the luckiest girl in the world. We have had many adventures this year from Disney World trips, to our first airboat ride in the Everglades, and so many more. We also became A-List members for AMC so we see almost every movie that comes out in theaters and have become amateur movie critics--Lol! I will be sharing more of our adventures on the blog and on the gram in the New Year! 

I started my senior year this year and wow--I can't believe my 4 years at Florida International University are almost complete. It has been a crazy 4 years but I have grown so much from it. I have learned a lot not just about my major (my major is Public Relations,Advertising, and Applied Communication) but about myself and what I want for my life. I have been having a really good semester this Fall and I want to finish strong. 

2018 also marked 2 years since I was diagnosed with type one diabetes. It has been a lot of learning and changing my lifestyle but I am proud to say that my A1C is coming down and I am managing my type one diabetes very well. I even started on the Dexcom G6 which has really great for helping me manage. 

Overall 2018 was a full-packed year, but I am excited for where I am at in my life today and I can't wait to see what 2019 has in store for me. Thank you to all my readers for all the love + support you all given me through the years. XO