Twenty-Something New Yorker

Q&A TIME!

TIme to do a Q&A session! I’ve never done this before (I usually answer back privately), but this time around, I’ve gotten some really great questions about travel and packing! I figured this is information that we all would find helpful, so let’s get started:

I always bring too much makeup on trips. How do I bring less in my makeup case without having to go bare-faced?

Such a great question! I too used to pack way too many cosmetics products when I traveled. But now I find that when I travel, especially to hotter destinations, I just don’t feel the desire or need to slap on a bunch of makeup each day! These days, I just bring the bare essentials. I’d recommend bringing a BB cream, maybe de-potted into a small plastic container (pick some up at Sephora by asking for samples of cream-based products). BB creams are all-in-one products, so you can technically skip packing the moisturizer, primer and sunscreen! I personally like Missha’s Perfect Cover BB cream or SKIN79’s hot pink BB cream. They both have SPF (very important!) and give me a naturally glowy look without too much heavy makeup. Beyond that, I usually toss in a waterproof mascara, a travel-sized mattifying powder, and a tinted lip balm.

I like wearing perfume, but my perfume bottles are all bigger than 3 ounces. How do I bring my favorite perfume on vacation?

Another great question! I definitely like my perfumes as well, but hate trying to pack those fragile glass bottles in my luggage. I mean, what if the bottle breaks and my clothes all end up smelling like Marc Jacobs Daisy?! When I travel light (without checking in a bag), I like to bring small sample-sized containers of perfume. You never use much perfume in one application, so these are perfect for a short trip. I’d recommend heading to your local Sephora and asking for a sample of your favorite scent. Then, just toss that little sample vial into your plastic quart bag and you’re good to go!

I always overpack! How do I keep myself from bringing too much stuff?

I learned this great trick from my mother who is the queen of efficient packing: pack what you think is the absolute bare minimum of clothing into your suitcase or duffel, then take a step back and remove 3 articles of clothing. No negotiating with yourself, no cutting corners. Take out 3 pieces of clothing and put them back in your closet. I promise you won’t miss those extra 3 pieces on your trip and now you’ve got a bit of extra space to bring back souvenirs!

I’d love to the Bahamas for spring break, but it’s just too expensive. Do you always go to such expensive places or are there cheaper options?

Don’t worry! There are lots of more economical travel destinations for Spring Break. I’m headed to the Bahamas this year mostly because it’s my senior year of university and the last spring break I’ll ever get to go on. So, really, it was all about going out with a bang! But in previous years, I’ve definitely made the conscious effort to keep costs low. One year, a friend and I took a 5-hour train and spent the week in New York City visiting museums for free and window-shopping. The next year, a group of us flew down to Tampa, FL and spent the week at a friends’ house. Staying with a friend is always a great (and inexpensive) spring break option. Just make sure to get your hosts a really nice thank you gift for their hospitality (we bought our hosts a new juicer and a set of luxe chocolates)! All in all, I’d definitely say how much money a trip costs doesn’t determine how great your spring break is. I’ve gone on fantastic trips that cost very little and sucky trips that cost a small fortune; it all depends on the friends you travel with and how much fun you have together!

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And lastly, a few completely unrelated questions:

You talked about BB creams in a previous post. I’ve never used one before but I’d love to try one! What are they all about and any recommendations?

Welcome to the BB cream bandwagon! BB creams were originally invented by German doctors to help patients heal post-operation scars while providing light coverage. They’ve been hugely popular in Asia for many years and are now invading Western markets. Personally, I’d recommend that you invest in an Asian BB cream. I just don’t find that the new American and European BB creams on the market live up to their advertised skincare benefits. I’ve tried many (Garnier, Maybelline, Smashbox, Too Faced, Tarte, Bobbi Brown, and L’Oreal just to name a few) and just haven’t found one that compares favorably to the Asian products that I’ve been using for years. My favorite BB creams are by Missha and Skin79, two hugely popular South Korean brands. They contain SPF, treat acne, act as a moisturizer and primer, and help lighten dark spots. Here are the ones that I use:

You seem to really love Asian cosmetic brands. What gives?

Now that you mention it… I do have an absurd amount of Asian cosmetics in my collection. But in my defense, I have a very carefully culled makeup and skincare collection so I really don’t have too many products at one time. But I love Asian products for two main reasons: 1. They’re pretty cheap compared to their Western counterparts. And 2. They have the cutest and most ingenious packaging. Case in point, check out the packaging for my Asian BB creams and toner!

As you can see, the packaging is sleek, adorable and super hygienic. All three BB creams have a little pump and the toner has this awesome pump system where you put your cotton on top and gently push down to wet it. Awesome, no?

Most awesome purchase you’ve recently made?

My Parian professional makeup brush cleaning system! I had a $10 credit from Beautylish (Check them out! Beautylish.com They’ve got a promotion right now where you download their app and get a $10 credit) and splurged on this. I’ve heard amazing things about this products’ ability to clean brushes and I think that having clean makeup brushes is so incredibly important. We use makeup brushes on our skin everyday, so keeping those brushes clean keeps our skin happy and helps to prevent breakouts. This cleaning solution keeps my brushes fluffy and clean. It also smells heavenly….

Current favorite song?

I’ve been writing a lot of essays lately for class and Lana Del Rey has been my go-to essay writing artist. I’ve been loving This Is What Makes Us Girls. Have a listen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-a_z7d2OERs

2 months ago
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Sun, Sand and Surf - the preparations

Spring break is right around the corner! Hallelujah! I’ve been busily preparing for this trip over the past few days and may have indulged in more than one little shopping trip! Since I’ve sworn to pack as lightly for this trip as possible, this post will give you all a better idea of how to pack for a weeklong trip and take only the essentials.

Firstly, a little background on this trip. I’m flying out this Sunday and heading down south to Freeport, Bahamas. My friends and I will be spending 5 days at a seaside resort and spending the vast majority of our time sunbathing and playing in the water. With that in mind, here’s what I plan on bringing with me on this trip of sun, sand, and surf:

The bag: I’m packing everything into my new Christopher Kon large tote bag. It’s a great size (about 2 ft long and 1 ft wide) and has both top handles and a long adjustable strap. I much prefer using a tote bag to a small rolling suitcase on short trips because they’re so much lighter and easier to maneuver on flights. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve needed help cramming a boxy suitcase into the overhead compartments. Besides, on such a short trip, it’s really important to limit yourself in terms of space so that you only bring the essentials.

Clothing: I think most people (especially us girls!) are guilty of overpacking. I always seem to bring much more clothing than I end up wearing. But lately, I’ve gotten better at packing light. Spending a summer backpacking around India on weekends has really helped with that! So for this trip, I’m bringing one pair of jean shorts, a nicer skirt and 3 tank tops. I’ll be wearing jeans, a flannel shirt and my Kookai leather jacket en route. Since I imagine I’ll be spending most of my time in a bikini (hence why I’m bringing three!), I’ve chosen to limit the amount of actual clothing I bring.

Shoes: Ladies, we always bring too many shoes! Think about it, how often will you wear those heels on vacation? Are they even practical? The answer is usually no! For this trip, I’m wearing a pair of booties on the plane (it’s still a bit chilly here in New England) and bringing a pair of sandals. That’s it.

Toiletries: This is always the hardest part for me. The 3-1-1 TSA rule always bugs me. But since this is such a short trip, there’s really no need for a large amount of toiletries? I’ve picked up a few essential travel-sized toiletries like shampoo+conditioner and toothpaste (stores like Target and CVS always have these!) and grabbed a few small plastic pots (mine are from Target) so that I can de-pot those essential toiletries that don’t come in travel sizes. Here, I’ve de-potted some aloe vera gel (gotta be prepared for sunburns!), my moisturizer (from Benefit), and some body lotion (that saltwater wreaks havoc on skin).

Here’s a helpful little tip: If your skin isn’t too sensitive, consider buying towelettes instead of trying to bring along your favorite facial cleanser. Towelettes don’t count as a liquid/gel so it won’t take up precious space in your quart-sized bag! They’re also easy to stick into your bag to feel fresh and clean on-the-go. I’ve brought along my new favorite: Yes To Grapefruit towelettes.

And with that, all I need is my bag, my passport and my trusty sunnies!

I hope this post has been helpful and feel free to ask questions about packing or what specific products I’ve decided to bring with me! As always, good luck and happy travels!

2 months ago
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Tropical getaway news and the winter blues.

WebMD (the bane of hypochondriacs everywhere) tells me that the “winter blues,” or rather “seasonal affective disorder,” is indeed a real diagnosable disorder. Apparently, reduced sunlight levels in fall and winter leads to a decrease in serotonin production in the brain. Being the brilliant scientist-mind that I am, I have interpreted this to mean “snow + no sun = sad me.” Which would explain why I’ve been such a Debbie Downer this week. So to help cheer myself up from the downy dumps, I have been a woman on a mission this week to surround myself with bright colors and happiness.

Firstly, Trix cereal. You can’t rip open a package of these and not smile. Between Trix, Fruit Loops and Lucky Charms, you have the holy grail of childhood cereals. My college recently instated a Grab-N-Go lunch program and these little cereal packs are one of the side options! I’ve been stocking up on them because these single serving containers make the perfect portable (and colorful!) study snacks! Though I did always find it sad that the rabbit never got his Trix…

I’ve also come to realize over the past 4 years of college that your mailbox can make or break your day. An empty mailbox means that no one loves you whereas getting mail clearly means you are the most popular person on earth that day. Luckily for me, I received a care package from the parentals this week! In addition to the checkbook that I need (I had run out of checks earlier this month), my parents also included a few packs of dried organic strawberries, my favorite organic cheddar cheese and chocolate! Being an (almost) grown-up makes you appreciate getting mail so much more and it truly brightens up your day.

Next up, Snapchat. Do people really use Snapchat to sext? Because I can assure you that is NOT how my friends and I use it. It seems that all my friends, despite all being adults now, have the maturity of a 12 year old boy. Each day, I open up Snapchat to find photos of fat squirrels around campus, that one kid passed out in the library, and shot after shot of drool-inducing food porn. Snapchat’s silly and unnecessary, but getting those stupid little photos throughout the day really makes me smile.

** usernames obviously edited out to protect my friends’ identities.

And finally, spring break news. Last year, I thought my spring break trip to London was the most spur-of-the moment trip I’d ever taken. Then I spent a summer in India where there was no itinerary and travel plans were made 48 hours in advance. And now this year, I am flying the coop to the Bahamas. A friend of mine’s family owns a timeshare there so a trio of us have decided to swap the rain and gloom of New England for the bright tropical sunshine of the Caribbean. I cannot begin to tell you how excited I am for this trip. I’ve already purchased a new weekender bag for the trip and am already eagerly planning out my days on the island.

I just love the sunny yellow color of the bag!

Just check out that clear blue water!

Sun, sand and surf? Now that’s just what the doctor ordered.

2 months ago
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Oscars Night!

It’s horribly slushy and cold outside, but I’m cozy in bed with my two loves: white wine and Hamtaro! Obviously, I am wholly prepared to watch the Oscars and drool over the ridiculously expensive couture that the stars wear.

Hamtaro’s excited for the Oscars!

I’m anxiously awaiting the Best Actress category, because I’d absolutely love to see Jennifer Lawrence take home the statue tonight. I adored Silver Linings Playbook and find JLaw to be such a refreshing departure from the self-absorbed Hollywood actress-stereotype. Also, doesn’t she just look stunning tonight? I was unsure of the Dior/JLaw pairing when the collaboration was initially announced, but she’s really knocked it out of the ballpark tonight.

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Overall, it’s been a lovely if unproductive sort of weekend. I attended the inaugural ”Select Dinner” at the Alumni House last night. The whole premise of the dinner series is to encourage socializing among people who might not normally interact. The setting couldn’t have been more beautiful, though I admit to having been absolutely petrified upon arrival. The prospect of an entire evening mingling with people whom I normally do not converse with is daunting! Thankfully, an abundance of champagne and wine paired with each course helped to ease the awkwardness and allowed for the conversation to flow.

So many different forks and knives!?! Thank god for etiquette lessons…

The champagne - a must for any social setting!

I even got to take the floral centerpiece home with me! It’s currently taking pride of place on my bookshelf and making my room smell heavenly. I also swiped my place-card and menu as little momentos (I’m sure they won’t be missed).

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What I’m loving this week:

Skin79 BB creams. I know, I know, everyone’s been jumping on the BB cream bandwagon lately. But in my defense, I am a) a devoted fan of Asian BB creams and b) have been using these two creams religiously for the past few years. The winter’s been so cold lately and the dry air has wreaked havoc on my skin, but these two BB creams have done wonders for rehydrating my skin. They’re also ridiculously easy to use and make my morning routine quick and painless; who doesn’t like to shorten their morning routine and sleep more?! For anyone looking for a BB cream with medium coverage and extra skin-care benefits, I’d highly recommend these two!

Frost Café cookies. Not a recent discovery, but I’ve just re-fallen in love with Frost Café’s cookies. These are HUGE cookies and definitely chock-filled with chocolatey goodness. They’re the perfect accompaniment to an afternoon of reading and coursework.

And lastly, I’ve been feeling very nostalgic this past week. In particular, I’ve been quite nostalgic for the time I spent in India this past summer. The weather, the people, the food and the adventures - I miss it all. I can’t wait to return someday; there are so many places I have yet to visit and so many friends I’d love to see.

3 months ago
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"

To be white, or straight, or male, or middle class is to be simultaneously ubiquitious and invisible. You’re everywhere you look, you’re the standard against which everyone else is measured. You’re like water, like air. People will tell you they went to see a “woman doctor” or they will say they went to see “the doctor.” People will tell you they have a “gay colleague” or they’ll tell you about a colleague. A white person will be happy to tell you about a “Black friend,” but when that same person simply mentions a “friend,” everyone will assume the person is white. Any college course that doesn’t have the word “woman” or “gay” or “minority” in its title is a course about men, heterosexuals, and white people. But we call those courses “literature,” “history” or “political science.”

This invisibility is political.

"

Michael S. Kimmel, in the introduction to the book, “Privilege: A Reader” (via thinkspeakstress)