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 

"Don't worry darling, people throw rocks at things that shine."

I can still hear my first grade teacher in my head saying, "if you don't have anything nice to say, do not say anything at all." And yet it applies even more to me today in my twenties, than it did to me then. We live in a society where being mean, or "savage", is encouraged...it is sad, but the truth. As a blogger and young woman, I know that bullying is still very prevalent. And now with social media, it is easier to attack people than ever before. It is a coward move to attack people through social media, probably because you do not have to be in front of their face, instead you just have a screen in front of you. But even though the person is not saying it to your face, it still hurts, especially when it is on social media for other eyes to see, read, and interpret. 

It breaks my heart to see, how many individuals a year are bullied whether it be in school, over social media accounts and/or text message, or even in your own family. It is NEVER acceptable to make a person feel less about themselves. Each and every person on this earth is unique and important in their very own way and deserves to be treated with respect and dignity. No one, and I mean no one, deserves to be put down for any reason. What people fail to realize is that their words and their actions do hurt. It literally cost $0 to be nice to someone. 

To those that have been bullied (because that is what being mean to someone is!) know that you are worth it and that what they say about you or to you is out of spite, jealousy, and negativity. Like I began this post, "people throw rocks at things that shine." If someone tries to bring you down, it is because you are already above them. Don't fall to their level, and always take the high road (which I know is easier said than done). Just remember that God created you the way you are and that is amazing! Also keep in mind, you are never alone. 

I wanted to write this post today because I want all my readers to realize that they are incredible, special, and deserve all the happiness life has to offer. A lot of times being a blogger, I get a lot of criticism because I am open to the world, and with that comes to the positives and the negatives. People tend to not understand how much work and dedication goes in to being a blogger or vlogger. It takes a lot of time and effort to make sure that we produce the best content for our readers/viewers, all while being true ourselves and our styles. I absolutely love sharing my life, style, and perspective with each and every one of you. I love that I have this platform to be 100% myself with the world. There are a lot of people who think that my blog isn't a "job" and is just a hobby, but I am ready to be back in the blogging game and dedicate my heart and soul into it. Blogging makes me so happy and is such a beautiful part of my life. God honestly has blessed me with this amazing platform where I get to connect with you all and it honestly brings so much joy to my life. 

Please feel free to reach out and share with me. I love receive your messages on Instagram, e-mails, and comments! You all are absolutely amazing! Always remember, it costs nothing to be nice so always treat others the way you would want to be treated and never let anyone make you question your worth because you are priceless.

Thank you for stopping by the blog today! I hope you have an incredible week and stay tuned because I will be sharing my favorite moments from #SwimWeek very soon. XO 

Top: Princezza Boutique (similar liked above) | Skirt: Marshalls (similar linked above) |
Shoes: Steve Madden | Necklace: Taudrey | Ring: Alex and Ani | 
Bracelets: Taudrey, Taudrey, Henri Bendel, David Yurman, Alex and Ani