Whenever I go to an Asian restaurant, one of the first things I order is dynamite shrimp! It’s always fried to perfection and the sauce is so delectable. I’ve been loving the P.F. Chang’s Dynamite Shrimp since I was a kid and over the years, I’ve tried to perfect the recipe. This is a hit in my household and I’m repeatedly asked to make it all the time! I’m finally sharing the recipe with you guys below! I hope you enjoy it and like it as much as I do.
Please don’t hesitate to message me with any questions and please do share your photos with me if you decide to make it!
A tasty recreation of the dynamite shrimp you eat at asian fusion restaurants. Crispy and delicious! A perfect snack or appetizer for everyone!
Ingredients
1 bag of medium frozen shrimp – cooked, peeled, deveined
3/4 cup cornstarch
1 tsp salt
1 tsp black pepper
2 eggs
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 tbsp ketchup
1/2 tbsp honey
1 tsp paprika or cayenne powder
1 tsp sesame oil
1 tsp rice vinegar
Sriracha according to preference/spice tolerance. (I add about 4-5 tbsp because I prefer a lot of spice)
Directions
Take the shrimp out of the freezer and wash with cold water in a strainer. Set aside for 15 minutes to thaw for a bit. Take off the tails and place all of the shrimp on a paper towel to dry for 30 more minutes.
Meanwhile, take a large bowl to combine the ingredients for the sauce. Add mayonnaise, sriracha (by preference), ketchup, honey, paprika/cayenne powder, sesame oil and rice vinegar. Mix it all together and you should have an orange colored sauce. Set aside.
To make the batter, take a bowl and add cornstarch, salt, pepper and eggs. I also add some sriracha to the batter itself to add some spice to the shrimp on its own. Whisk well until consistency is thick. If still on the thinner side, can add more cornstarch. It should be thick enough to properly coat the shrimp.
Heat up the oil – enough to deep fry the shrimp. Keep on medium flame and fry the shrimp for 2-3 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
Place shrimp on a plate lined with paper towel for one minute, so it soaks up some of the oil.
Toss shrimp into the sauce right after to enjoy it hot and crispy. Can also just drizzle sauce onto shrimp if you don’t want it completely saucy, or use the sauce as a dip on the side.
Hi guys! I’ve been meaning to share my skin care routine with you for a while and I’m sorry for the delay. However, it allowed me more time to master my new routine in the last few months and share my results. I recently did a poll on my Instagram and many people were interested in hearing about my skin care routine. I’m by no means a skin care expert but I’ve been religiously implementing a solid routine for the past eight years. It’s been a whole lot of trial and error, and still is, but I’ve managed to learn a lot along the way and I hope it can help you guys too!
I know finding a skin care routine that suits you can be extremely frustrating and daunting. There’s always something that doesn’t work for your particular skin or clashes with another product. Unfortunately, it’s really hard to pinpoint exactly which product is really irritating your skin and what should be kept and eliminated. It only makes it worse that there are so many different acids and formulations to worry about. I’ll be sharing my technique that I’ve created over the years to tackle that.
Before we dive deeper, it’s important to understand what the different acids and formulations are and what they can do for your skin.
AHA/BHAs AHA/BHAs are non abrasive exfoliants for your skin. They absorb into your skin and help renew it from the inside, unlike a physical exfoliant which would only address the superficial layer. They tackle acne scars, acne, skin texture, dullness and hyperpigmentation. A popular form of AHAs is glycolic acid. Glycolic acid is derived from sugar cane and helps remove dead skin cells for more radiant and even looking skin. It also thickens your skin and stimulates collagen growth. Another popular form you may have heard of is lactic acid. Lactic acid helps keep your skin hydrated, improves skin tone and signs of aging, reduces your pores, and firms your skin. A well known form of BHA is salicylic acid. Salicylic acid works in the same way as AHAs in the sense that it removes dead skin cells and promotes skin renewal, but it is really good for unclogging your pores, controlling oil production and deeply cleaning and purifying your skin. This is why it’s usually perfect for someone with oily/combination skin. Both AHA/BHAs are a great addition to your routine and will help address many skin concerns.
Vitamin C Vitamin C is a legitimate holy grail for your skin. It is a real game changer and essential to all skin types. Vitamin C comes in many different forms – some are less irritable (such as magnesium ascorbyl phosphate) and therefore more suitable for sensitive or dry skin types. Other forms are more potent and effective (such as l-ascorbic acid), but better for oily or normal skin that isn’t sensitive. Whichever you end up choosing, I can assure you it will be quite beneficial to your skin. Vitamin C adds a youthful radiance to your skin, fades hyperpigmentation & dark spots, diminishes fine lines & blemishes, promotes collage production, and protects your skin from free radicals since it’s an antioxidant. Vitamin C has proven to be so beneficial for our skin that it’s recommended we take it in pill form daily to ensure healthy skin.
Retinol Retinol, also known as retinoids or vitamin A, is quite literally a wonder drug. It’s one of the best skin care products in the market today and can be prescribed by your dermatologist or bought over the counter in the form of a serum. Though not as potent as retinoids, retinol is still very effective and helps reduce wrinkles and fine lines. It increases the production of collagen and even stimulates production of new blood vessels in your skin. It will also help reduce your acne and any scarring by increasing cell renewal production. You should definitely incorporate this into your routine as you hit your mid-twenties as a preventative. Start with a low percentage and build your way up slowly.
Niacinamide Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B-3, an essential nutrient for your skin & body. Niacinamide is great for anyone who has sensitive skin, redness, acne, large pores, or oily skin. It increases your skin’s resiliency, minimizes any redness or blotchiness, regulates oil, treats hyperpigmentation and minimizes pores. It’s also anti-inflammatory so it will help treat any acne. You can layer this under your retinol product for added benefits.
Hyaluronic Acid Hyaluronic acid is naturally found in your body and retains water to keep your tissues hydrated and moist. So it’s only safe to say it’ll definitely hydrate your skin. In addition, it reduces the visibility of your wrinkles/fine lines and creates smoother looking skin by helping increase skin cell production. This is the one skin product that every single person can use (yes, even if you have oily skin, it needs to be hydrated) and it’s the one product that you can layer with any other acid without causing harm or unwanted side effects.
If you choose to add different acids and formulations, remember that many acids don’t mix well with one another. So here’s a little cheat sheet for you: vitamin c + retinol = 🚫 retinol + aha/bha = 🚫 aha/bha + vitamin c = 🚫 niacinamide + retinol = ✅ hyaluronic + aha/bha = ✅ hyaluronic + vitamin c = ✅ hyaluronic + retinol = ✅
So simply put, using any of the acids with one another will offset the ph balance of your skin and make it super sensitive. It will cause acne, redness and can even ruin your skin’s barrier. Refrain from using vitamin c, retinol and any aha/bha formulations (glycolic acid, lactic acid/salicylic acid) with one another in any kind of combination. Hyaluronic acid can be used with almost every other acid since it’s super hydrating and will only help balance out the dryness caused by the aha/bhas. Niacinamide (form of b3 which helps balance oil production, improves texture and minimizes pores/redness) can be layered with retinol, which is what I do every alternate night.
The technique I’m about to share with you guys next will basically solidify my foundation as a psychopath in your eyes, but it’s something that has truly helped me get my skincare down to a T. And following it has done wonders for my skin. Of course, you don’t have to follow this to achieve your skin goals, but if you’re experimenting with different acids, it’s a good way to see how they can be incorporated in your routine at different times of the day and week.
My routine:
Daytime: Mon, Wed, Fri, Sun: non-alcohol toner, vitamin c serum, moisturizer, SPF, vitamin c facial oil (on dry days), eye cream Tue, Thur, Sat: AHA/BHA toner or peel pads, hyaluronic acid, moisturizer, SPF, eye cream
Like I mentioned, you absolutely DO NOT have to follow this routine. I just wanted to show you guys how you can time out and place different acids & formulations into your skincare routine without having them clash with one another. I also do a mask once or twice within the week and use a physical exfoliator (such as the Tatcha rice enzyme powder or Kate Somerville’s exfolikate) once a week during my non-aha/bha nights.
If you’re just starting your skin care routine, I would tell you to keep it extremely simple. Don’t overcomplicate your routine and introduce your skin to too many different products right from the get go. The key to a good regimen is starting slow and building up to certain acids and formulations. If you’re a beginner, start with: a toner, a serum, a moisturizer, SPF (in the day) and an eye cream.This allows you to get into the habit of applying skincare daily and nightly and with limited products, you’ll be able to easily gauge what works for your skin and doesn’t.
Use a serum that is absolutely essential to your skin concerns. So if you’re looking to tackle acne scars, dark spots, or hyperpigmentation, I would recommend going with a really good vitamin c serum in the day (and even night in the beginning) and eventually switching & building up to a glycolic/lactic acid at night. If your concern is acne, I’d recommend a serum or spot treatment with salicylic acid at night. If your skin is super dry, just a good hyaluronic would be a great addition to your routine. If you’re looking to prevent/treat anti-aging, I’d suggest retinol. Really try to tackle your main skin concern first and then start adding other products in slowly.
I’ll be sharing more of what I use product wise on this blog and on my Instagram stories. It can be super complicated and I want to simplify it for you as much as I can. Please feel free to message me and reach out to me for any questions! I hope this article helped a little and I’ll be back very soon with more skincare tips!
Hi, my loves! How are you guys? So I’ll be the first to say it, I totally suck at keeping up with this blog. There have been a lot of personal things going on lately and I just haven’t been able to get on here and jot anything down, let alone a whole post. I apologize for being so MIA and not posting at all this year, but I’m in a much better space now and ready to create some wonderful content for you guys!
I recently traveled after a whole year and a half (thanks, covid) and feel super rejuvenated and motivated to take on this blog. I’m hoping I get to travel a lot more this year and so I’ve created this travel post/series in hopes that it’ll give you some inspiration and amazing recommendations.
It was my boyfriend Kapil’s birthday last weekend and we did a quick little getaway with a few friends of ours. We road tripped to the Cape Cod & Provincetown area in Massachusetts. Honestly, we had heard great things, had never been before and wanted to start off slow with travel & not fly so soon. Really, any place at this point would have worked (because we were so sick of being home) but Cape Cod ended up being the perfect getaway for us!
So without further ado, I’m going to dive into the details of our trip and what was on our itinerary. If you’re looking for a charming little beach town to go to, this place is perfect for you. We enjoyed ourselves thoroughly and our VRBO rental was also amazing. We had the perfect balance of enjoying our rental and also stepping out and having a good time.
Our Rental
We found a beautiful house on VRBO and we were hoping it was just as pretty as the pictures, but somehow it was even better. It was charming, so elegantly decorated and spacious enough for all six of us. It was located in East Sandwich which is about 15 minutes away from Cape Cod and an hour away from Provincetown. Super affordable for the space and area we were in and had a great backyard and patio. We used that and the grill to our advantage and barbecued some yummy food one night. There was also a cute playground set in the backyard if you have kids with you and an awesome game room in the basement which has a pool table. It also had four bedrooms (three upstairs and one in the basement) and three full bathrooms. The kitchen was enormous and we spent most of our time there or in family room. We truly enjoyed this house. I’m attaching the VRBO link in case you want to check it out: https://www.vrbo.com/4515332ha?noDates=true&unitId=5118799.
Family RoomFamily Room – gorgeous mirrors and decor. Living room decor Living room decorDining table
Master Bedroom
Second bedroom upstairs
Third bedroom upstairs
Living room
Family room
Gorgeous dining table
Kitchen
Things to do
Cape Cod Brewery The first day we got there, we dropped our stuff off and immediately went to this brewery. We had researched a few breweries beforehand and this was the closest and seemed super chill. They didn’t require any reservations and we were seated promptly when we arrived. I’m really not a fan of beer but figured I could drink cider. To my surprise, they had yummy beer cocktails on the menu! So I ordered a delicious summer cocktail which was a mix of beer, vodka, and lemonade. We all also got some food for the table. By the way, there’s a rule in MA (and in NY too) that if you’re at a vineyard or brewery, you have to order food with the first round of drinks! Did you guys know that? I really had no idea, but did not mind this rule at all. We ordered some munchies for the table – crab cake, pretzels, burgers, fries and the most delicious cornbread. If you visit this brewery, ORDER THE CORNBREAD. It was divine and the owner brought it out herself and told us it was her grandmother’s famous recipe. So scrumptious that we had to order it multiple times. We really enjoyed our time at this brewery. It was a beautiful day and we opted to sit outdoors. There was also a great solo artist covering the best songs. Such great vibes and I hope you get to visit whenever you’re in the area.
Cheers to the birthday boy!
Left to right: Crab cake, Pickle fries, Burger, Cornbread, Pretzel
Provincetown If you go to Cape Cod, you can’t not visit Provincetown. It was easily the best part of our trip. Provincetown is about an hour away from Cape Cod and basically the tip of Massachusetts. It’s the cutest, charming little beach town. There’s one main street (Commercial Street) where all the restaurants, boutiques and shops are. You’ll also see the most adorable houses lined up side by side on this street. I was absolutely obsessed with the entire town and we all had such a great time exploring it. Small town vibes where you know for sure that everyone knows everyone and all the restaurants and bars have their “regulars” visiting daily. It’s also a super touristy town of course but has managed to keep alive the small town vibe and not get too commercialized. We didn’t get to utilize the beach much since it still wasn’t perfect beach weather but still had a fabulous time. Also, this town is known for their LGBTQ+ pride and had such a fun vibe! I also came across a Christmas shop with my best friend and we’re both a Christmas obsessed so we bought some amazing novelty items six months in advance. They also had the typical beach town fudge & salt water taffy shops and homemade ice cream stores. There were some amazing restaurants and you could come across great options as you walked the street. We truly enjoyed everything about our experience here and I’d definitely go back again during peak summer!
Restaurants with a view of the ocean. Commercial Street.Commercial Street.Commercial Street.Christmas Shop. Monty’s.Commercial Street.Commercial Street.Commercial Street. Cabot’s Candy Store.Commercial Street. Cabot’s Candy Store.
Commercial Street.
Restaurants
Patio American Grill I actually had A LOT of restaurants on my list to try out in Provincetown, because that’s just what I do before traveling. Make sure I’ve checked out every potential eating spot. And while I had checked out almost all of them and made a thorough list, Patio was not one of them. We randomly came across this while we were walking down the street. It had such great beach vibes and the menu was perfect for our group. It had good vegetarian options as well as seafood ones. So we decided to do lunch here during our day in Provincetown. We loved the atmosphere here, it was casual but so gorgeous. The blue and white furniture and decor gave off quintessential nautical vibes. The food options were yummy and I had a really hard time picking because I wanted EVERYTHING. I went with the lobster roll, because why would you not in New England? My friends also got the fish & chips, fish tacos, and paninis. For appetizers, we went with calamari, burrata and ceviche. Every single appetizer was delicious! My lobster roll could’ve been better I feel. While the flavor was meh, the portion was very generous and in fact, I didn’t finish half of it. As far as cocktails go, I went with the pineapple mojito and enjoyed it. My friends all seemed to enjoy their drinks too! All in all, a good place and I would go back and give some other entree a try.
Añejo So, technically we were supposed to go to Añejo for dinner the night we went to Provincetown in the day, but we were so full off of our lunch at Patio, we decided we would just BBQ it up at home and do Añejo for brunch before heading out on Sunday. Añejo is in downtown Cape Cod and was on my list of places to go. Besides, you can never go wrong with Mexican. This place had the most gorgeous atmosphere. We were seated outdoors in their backyard and they had a huge tree overlooking the entire area, cute lanterns hanging from it and an outdoor bar to go with it! It was super cute! We immediately ordered drinks and I went with the Sexican which I really liked. They gave us complimentary salsa and chips which we devoured immediately. We ordered guac, elotes (mexican corn) and chorizo fundido for the table as appetizers. The best appetizer was the elotes according to my friends, since I didn’t try it. The guac was super underwhelming and bland. The chorizo fundido was mediocre in my opinion. I was hoping the entrees would change our mind, and very luckily, they did! I ordered the tres tacos and got one baja fish taco and two carnitas tacos. Both of them were SO good and I really enjoyed these. For dessert, we ended up getting a fried ice cream for the table to share. Our server was sweet enough to somehow scrounge up a candle and bring it out for Kapil. We devoured the dessert in five minutes tops and really enjoyed it. I would give this place a 3.5/5 and would go back to try other things and get those tacos again!
Patio.
Left to right: Calamari, Ceviche & Burrata Caprese.Lobster Roll.
So since we went mid May, the weather was still a bit on the chilly side, at least for a beach town. 70s in the day and 50s at night. So I opted for either longer dresses or shorter dresses with a blazer on top. The day we were coming back, it hits 80s so I picked out a flowy dress from Zara that would be apt to wear at Añejo and for the road trip home since we knew it would take about six hours getting home. On the day we were out in Provincetown, I wore a white oversized blouse from Zara as a dress and added a blazer on top. On Friday, I wore an oversized midi dress from Zara which was super comfortable and casual. I opted for sneakers and flats on all three days. I also packed two different bags and sunglasses. And for night time, I packed a pair of sweats and a cardigan/hoodie to wear around the house and in the backyard while BBQing. Everything easily fit into my weekender bag! I also packed my skincare plus minimal makeup (CC cream with SPF, bronzer, blush, concealer, lipsticks, eyeliner, mascara and brow gel). We also packed a ton of groceries so we’d be set for breakfast, snacks and BBQ at the house.
Oversized button down midi dress from Zara. Paired with white adidas sneakers (not pictured).White oversized blouse from Zara worn as a dress. Paired with a yellow blazer, Burberry purse and Tory Burch Miller sandals. Dress from Zara paired with kolhapuri sandals I bought from India and the Tory Burch Chelsea bag.
Overall
I’d say this is the perfect weekend getaway. I would tell you guys to go during peak summer if you can since it’s a beach town and if you want to take advantage of the beach, you definitely need warmer weather. But if you’re just going to sight see, I think spring and fall would also be great. We all really enjoyed this trip and dipped our toes in the water after the pandemic so we can eventually take bigger trips and even fly somewhere. This was an appropriate segue into that for sure. I’d recommend this to anyone looking for a chill, casual trip and would definitely go back myself someday. Hope this post and our itinerary helped you in some way. If you have any questions at all, please feel free to message me here or on my Instagram. As always, it’s a pleasure hearing from all of you and I wish you a wonderful summer ahead.
Eggnog is a holiday drink staple, but what’s better than just simple old eggnog? Eggnog with an Indian fusion twist to it! My boyfriend is a cocktail connoisseur and makes the most delicious drinks on this planet (I promise I’m not being biased). He turned a regular eggnog into the most scrumptious and perfect holiday drink! I’m not a fan of traditional eggnog, but this was divine and a huge hit at our holiday party last year.
If you haven’t heard of Somrus before, you’re in for a treat. It’s so delightful to drink on its own, but even more so in this cocktail. It’s an Indian cream based rum liqueur (almost like bailey’s but better) with a symphony of flavors like rose, cardamom, pistachio, almond, and saffron. Imagine a delicious Indian ice cream with these flavors melted into liquid form. Just so creamy and delicious. A liqueur you honestly you didn’t know you needed, but can’t imagine being without once you’ve tried it!
Like I said, this “somnog” or “nogrus” or “eggrus” (okay I’ll stop) is one of the yummiest holiday drinks and so perfect if you’re spending the holidays with your parents/relatives! It incorporates many of the flavors your parents (and you) love in chai or mithai (Indian sweets). So without further ado, here’s the recipe for this deliciousness of a cocktail!
Tips: – The Somrus liqueur I used is Somrus Original. They’ve rebranded and now also call it Somrus Chai. So if you don’t see the original one, don’t freak out. Somrus Chai is the same thing. – They also have two other flavors: Somrus Mango & Somrus Coffee. I’ve tried Somrus Mango and it’s so yum! Just like Indian mango ice cream. I think both could easily substituted for the original in this recipe and would make an equally yummy cocktail. – I usually garnish with some pomegranate seeds and nutmeg/cinnamon on top. This time, I didn’t have pomegranate seeds on hand and garnished with some blueberries instead. You can also add a dash of cinnamon, crushed peppermint candy, a candy cane, or even a cinnamon stick. – If you don’t want to add egg white, it’s totally fine and feel free to skip it. It’s used to add the frothiness, but not necessary. – You can use store bought simple syrup or make it at home. Super simple – equal parts sugar and water. Boil together until sugar completely dissolves and cool down to room temperature. Can also store in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. – If you cannot find Somrus, don’t worry! You can also make this with Rumchata, a very similar cream-based liqueur. It won’t have all the flavors of Somrus but has cinnamon and vanilla which would also be perfect for this holiday recipe!
Hi guys! Today, I’m back with one of my very favorite holiday cookie recipes! Snowball cookies are these yummy little sugar delights which are sure to have everyone raving about your baking skills. They’re super simple to make and just so festive and cute to add to your Christmas spread! This recipe is adapted from my cousin who always makes these and they’ve easily become a family favorite. I hope you love them as much as I do.
Also, these are great cookies to set out for “Santa” with some milk. I’m sure you parents will love waking up to devour these in the middle of the night! They also have very finely chopped nuts so your kids will barely notice them if they’re picky about those things, and hopefully gobble them all up! Happy eating and happy holidays to you and your loved ones!
Tips: – You can substitute any nuts you prefer in the recipe and have more of one than the other, or even simply just stick to one. I use walnuts, almonds, and cashews. You can also add pecans and some peanuts if you’d like. – You can use two sticks of salted butter instead if you don’t have unsalted. Just don’t add the extra salt that’s in the recipe.
Hey guys! I’m so sorry for being MIA lately. This last month, and especially this week, has been a chaotic whirlwind. I hope everyone has been staying safe and healthy. I know there’s a lot of anxiety in the world right now and I can’t even deny that it’s almost all consuming most of the time, but the one thing that helps me battle it is: shopping! Some good ole retail therapy is a great stress reliever and I think Sephora just knew we needed a major sale this week! Their beauty insider sale is usually twice a year with the latter one around the holidays. It’s the perfect time to stock up on goodies for yourself as well as others. If you’re a VIB Rouge like myself, you should definitely take advantage of that 20% off. VIB and Beauty Insider tiers get 15% & 10% off respectively. The sale is still on until November 9th so get your hands on your beauty favorites ASAP. Without further ado, here’s a little list of things you should definitely consider bagging with your discount!
Going from top left to bottom right:
1. Yves Saint Laurent: Mini Rouge Pur Couture Lipstick Set – This beautiful luxury lipstick set comes with four stunning lipstick shades which are perfect for the holidays: a blood red, rich berry rose, bright orange, and nude. A great way to try out the lipsticks if you haven’t and such a lovely gift for someone (or even yourself)! I have a few YSL lipsticks and I love their formula and pigmentation. This would make any beauty lover’s day!
2. Dyson: Airwrap Styler – I hear beauty gurus swear by this set. I recently stopped by the dyson store and tried this out for myself because I had seen a lot of mixed reviews. If you have straight hair, I think this is the perfect curler for you! Though it takes time to get used to, it makes for such a convenient hair routine and you won’t know how you lived without it so far. I will say it isn’t for everyone and though it comes at a steep price, the best time to buy it would be during this sale! They have a beautiful copper gift set edition but it’s sold out online. However, you can possibly pick it up in a store near you or get their original set which is just as gorgeous.
3. Benefit Cosmetics: Together at Lash Full-Size Mascara Value Set – I swear by Benefit Cosmetics’ They’re Real mascara! It’s one of my absolute favorites. The roller lash is perfect for everyday curled lashes and adds such oomph to your regular day. Bad Gal Bang mascara is a thick, dramatic mascara perfect for a full glam look. This set comes at an unbelievable price point. You get one full size mascara around $25. And for $38, you’ll get all three full sized mascaras to try out if you haven’t already. Such a steal and honestly perfect to split amongst friends/family too.
4. Drunk Elephant: T.L.C. Sukari Babyfacial™ AHA + BHA Mask – This mask is one of my holy grails. It clarifies my skin and truly leaves it as smooth as a baby’s! I’m obsessed with how good it is. It’s an exfoliating AHA/BHA mask and removes any dirt and dead skin cells on your face. It’s an extremely strong exfoliant so should be used with caution and only once a week, but it really turns your skin around. It helps with any dark spots, fine lines and large pores. Though steep in price, this mask has won several awards and it’s no surprise it’s garnered over 2000 reviews on Sephora. Check it out for yourself!
5. Dermalogica: Your Best Cleanse + Glow Holiday Set – A limited edition holiday set that gives you three full sized products: a pre-cleanse, cleanser, and microexfoliant. Dermalogica has become one of the best skin care companies on the map and this set is such a perfect way to try out their products if you haven’t already. These three products would cost you upwards of $150 if purchased separately. I think this price is a steal and especially if you get it during the sale! This set focuses on uneven texture, fine lines and pores. It’s great for anyone who’s looking to fix dull or acne-prone skin.
6. Pat McGrath Labs: Mega Mothership: Celestial Divinity Eyeshadow Palette – Pat McGrath is my ultimate makeup icon. A powerhouse WOC who consistently puts out the best beauty products on the market. If you haven’t tried her shadows before, this is the time to jump on the bandwagon. Her Mothership palettes are absolutely divine. The pigment, pay off, and quality of each shadow is especially stunning. Most of her palettes can cost you $125, but this one is currently priced at $78 and contains 18 beautiful shades. It’s perfect for the upcoming holidays and I highly doubt you’ll be disappointed!
7. Herbivore: Lapis Blue Tansy Face Oil – If there’s one single skin care product I had to stick to for my night time routine, it would be a face oil. And this one is my favorite! I’ve been using this face oil for about two years now and have noticed a huge difference in the clarity and appearance of my skin. It’s made for acne-prone skin and helps keep it at bay while working on lightening previous blemishes and scars. My skin feels soft and supple and I love that it truly works on restoring your skin’s radiance. This also helps tackle large pores and redness. Sometimes, I only wear this on my skin before going to bed and wake up with a glow. Best part, it’s completely clean. Definitely try this one out for yourself!
8. Chloé: Chloé Eau de Parfum – Chloé makes some of my favorite fragrances. The first one I ever bought of theirs was Love Story which has become a staple for me. I recently purchased their original scent and love it just as much! It’s a beautiful floral fragrance with peony, rose, honey and cedarwood key notes. Just such a beautiful and sensual fragrance and so perfect to wear during any season. It would also make a beautiful gift for a loved one. Since fragrances rarely ever go on sale, it’s the perfect time to grab this.
9. Christophe Robin: Purifying Detox Hair Set – If you have an oily or sensitive scalp, this is the best thing you can do for your hair! I suffer from a seriously oily scalp and usually can barely go two days without washing my hair. Incorporating the scrub into my routine has helped lengthen the gap between my hair washes and has just generally helped my hair grow stronger. The large jar of the scrub itself is around $53 and for $59, you’ll be getting the scrub, a detangling gélee and purifying shampoo (plus discount). I’m not kidding you when I say this purifies your hair like nothing I’ve ever seen before. I’ve tried it all and this has truly made all the difference. You won’t regret it!
10. Dr. Dennis Gross: Alpha Beta® Extra Strength Daily Peel – I’ve been using these facial pads for about six months now and have seen a serious turn-around in my skin. They’re AHA/BHA peel pads which help with dullness, uneven texture, wrinkles, and even acne/acne scars. My previous acne scars have lightened using these pads and my skin looks super radiant. I also use these whenever I start getting acne and it helps diminish my zits in two days. These are the extra strength pads and I only use them every other day instead of daily. They also have lower strength pads available if you have sensitive skin or are not used to acids, and you can slowly build up to these if you’d like. I highly recommend and since they’re pricey, this sale is the perfect time to get them!
11. Sephora Favorites: Give Me More Lip Holiday Reds and Nudes Lipstick Set – Sephora makes some of the best gift sets and their favorites samplers are my… favorite! These make the perfect gift and also just such a great way to sample some great brands and their products. This set includes different red and nude lipsticks from popular brands like Fenty Beauty, Nars, Too Faced and YSL + many more! Not only do they have lipstick samples, but they also have one for makeup, mascara and fragrance. The fragrance one even gives you a voucher to redeem a full size bottle once you’ve tested them out! Like I said, it’s the perfect gift. I’ve gifted these to many people in the past and they’ve loved them! Also, such a steal with your Insider discount!
And that’s a (gift) wrap, folks! I hope you loved this list and found something you’d want to splurge on for yourself or a loved one. I’d keep this one handy up until the holidays and of course, feel free to send me a message and ask me any questions. Lots of love!
Potato is one my main food staples. You can make them in so many different ways and best part is that potatoes basically cater to any person. You could be a herbivore or carnivore and still reach for those extra side of fries on the table. And let’s be honest, is there anything better than fries?
This tandoori take on potato wedges is my absolute favorite. I love how versatile they are and you can make it as a snack, an accompaniment to your favorite burgers, or even as an appetizer. I used both regular russet potatoes as well as sweet potatoes. Both are amazing when made this way and I just wanted to show you guys that you can do it with any kind. I obviously don’t discriminate against any potatoes, as you can see. I hope you guys love this recipe! By the way, I always pair this with a yummy coriander or mint chutney and/or some delicious chipotle mayo.
Tips: These are also perfect to make in the air fryer. I actually think this is the perfect recipe for it. My recipe will tell you how to bake them in the oven, but if you own an air fryer, I highly recommend making these in one. They’ll turn out even crispier and be done in a fraction of the time. Just pop them in the air fryer for about 15 minutes on 375-400 degrees. You won’t regret it!
It’s summer! This usually translates to trips the beach and day drinking at a rooftop bar. Though those trips aren’t as frequent these days, there’s one thing you should NEVER step out of the house without. No, no I’m not talking about your face masks, though they’re just as important as this item. Any guesses?
Is there really a better way to define summer than the smell of sunscreen and ocean in the air? Summer is obviously not the only time you should be applying sunscreen. I apply it every single day no matter the weather. Sunscreen is the one product, if you wanted to forgo everything else, that you should be using on a daily basis when stepping out.
When people think sunscreen, they mostly think of lathering it onto their body before heading into the pool or tanning on the beach. However, many people still don’t think it’s necessary on a day to day basis — especially on their face.
In fact, studies show that fewer than 15% of men and 30% of women use sunscreen regularly on their face and other exposed skin when outside for more than one hour. Sunscreen is known to reduce the chances of skin cancer and is such a great preventative for many other skin conditions. But despite knowing this, many people still question its effectiveness and don’t quite understand what “SPF” means. Don’t fret, I gotchyou!
So what exactly is sunscreen and why is it so important? Sunscreen protects you from the damage of sun rays. Basically, the sun gives off two different kind of UV rays and both of these can be extremely detrimental to your skin. UVA rays cause great long-term damage and are the main cause of aging and wrinkles, whereas UVB rays are the ones that cause sunburn and skin cancer. Sunscreen shields you from these rays and degrades their effect.
So then what’s SPF all about? SPF is short for “sun protection factor” and measures just how well the sunscreen can protect you from the UVB rays. Basically, however long it takes for your skin to burn times the SPF will equal to how long it’ll protect you in the sun.
Example: It takes your skin 10 minutes to burn under the sun. You put on SPF 50. 10 minutes x SPF 50 = 500 minutes. According to the calculation, the SPF should protect your skin from sun damage for about 500 mins or approximately 8 hours.
However, due to sweating and swimming, SPF wears off much faster than it should. Many experts believe its efficacy is lessened and it’s necessary to reapply every two hours.
Umm… what amount of SPF should I apply? I would say anything with SPF 30 and above is a safe bet. SPF 15-30 tends to be mild and will protect you from 93% of UVB rays, whereas anything from 30-50 will protect you from 97-98% of UVB damage. Anything above SPF 50 will still give you about the same results and most studies show they end up being just as effective as SPF 30-50.
I’m melanin blessed. I don’t need to worry about sunscreen, right? Wrong. While melanin helps protect against immediate sunburn, it doesn’t mean your skin still can’t get burned eventually. Also, you’re still very prone to sun-spots, wrinkles, and cancer.
But I hate the feeling of sunscreen on my skin. What do I do? I totally get it! When asked why so many are hesitant to wear sunscreen, they say they don’t like the consistency and texture of most sunscreen products. And I’m definitely one of them! Well, to ensure that you all use SPF on a daily basis, I’ve compiled a list of great options that are totally non-greasy and have a “barely there” feel. Check out this list below and let me know if you have any other recommendations!
We’ve all been cooped up at home for so long that I’ve forgotten what it feels like to wear real clothes. And honestly speaking, I just change from one set of pajamas to another on a daily basis. It’s hard to find the motivation to look put together when you’re doing most things from the comfort of your couch. I have discovered one thing though. When I look put together, I feel like I have my shit together. Who else can relate?
These days, looking “put together” has taken on a different meaning. Besides the few essentials, the need for new clothes to wear out has disappeared. However, there are so many comfortable options that scream cute and feel super cozy. You’ll love to rock them at home whether you’re binge-watching some Netflix or on a Zoom meeting with co-workers.
Personally, I haven’t been shopping much since the quarantine began. I’ve been “Marie Kondo-ing” almost everything I can and de-cluttering the crap out of my closet. I’ve realized there are so many of my belongings that collect dust and are barely touched, so I’ve been more mindful about what I should be spending on. And obviously saving money is always a plus. That’s exactly why I’ve made a list of loungewear that is affordable yet fashionable. Pieces you’ll love adding to your daily wear but also won’t come at too steep of a price, especially since you’ll mostly be wearing them to your living room!
Hope you loved this one, guys. Send me your fun quarantine fashion finds, I would love to see them. Leave a comment below or message me on Instagram – @sassysherni. Until next time!
This quarantine has brought out both the best and worst in us. Although some would admit the collective stress it’s put us all under definitely brings out the worst more than the best. It’s hard enough to stay sane dealing with your own thoughts and multitude of things to do. However, when you’re also adjusting to your partner being around all of the time, it can be a whole different ballgame. I’m sure we can all agree a different range of emotions has taken over us since the quarantine started. Couples all around the world are either managing how to be around their partner 24/7 or have suddenly been launched into a long-distance relationship.
I’ve been lucky in the sense that I’ve gotten the best of both worlds during this quarantine. I’ve split my time between my parents’ place and the apartment my boyfriend and I share. Doing this has given me the opportunity to have my own space and down time with my family but also spend quality time with my boyfriend. I know a lot aren’t in the ideal position to do this and I wanted to share a few tips to make this a smoother and much more bearable for you.
For most people, their ultimate goal is to share their entire lives with one person. Even so, that usually that doesn’t mean all day every day. If you’re fortunate enough to be quarantining with your partner (I know sometimes they may drive you up a wall, but consider the ones doing long distance currently), then you have so many opportunities to keep your love alive. Here are some tips to help rejuvenate and re-energize your relationship.
Be empathetic This is the time to be compassionate and kind towards your partner, even more so than usual. This pandemic is hard on everyone and whether your partner discusses it or not, it’s also affecting them in unpredictable ways. Whatever their reactions may be at times, try being more understanding of where they’re coming from. Obviously this doesn’t give them the right to treat you like crap, but you could let some transgressions slide. So the next time they’re quick to snap at you, ask them what’s bothering them and try to have an open discussion. Being more considerate about their fears or anxiety will make you both stronger.
Create a set routine This can help you both plan out exactly how you want your day to go – individually as well as together. Try to time out your meals together and take the necessary time you need individually to get your work done. Whether you’re working from home or just need to run your day-to-day errands, planning it out will help create some much needed structure. If you have kids, you can also factor them into the schedule and how you’ll both be spending time with them and taking turns making their meals, etc. If you need more time away from another, you can plan out alone time to focus on your own individual interests and hobbies.
Share in each other’s interests Speaking of individual interests and hobbies, sometimes it’s fun to share what you love with your partner. You may love painting and he may love playing video games. You may love gardening and he may enjoy woodworking. Wherever your interests may lie, it can be exciting to see what your partner is passionate about and learn a thing or two from them. It could also become an activity you both enjoy doing together in the long run.
Hands-on activities Besides your normal hobbies and interests, you can do activities around the house that may be beneficial to both of you while adding tons of fun. You both can cook together and even take a fun online cooking course together. In fact, Airbnb is offering these from chefs all around the world. You can create a workout routine together, create some DIY projects for the house, or play some fun board games. Try going out for some walks together and do something more practical and hands on rather than just another day of sitting and watching Netflix.
Date night Yup, that’s right. I’m sure you’re thinking, “but where can we even go right now?!” Well, date nights aren’t only exclusive to stepping out for the night. Date night can be absolutely anything you want it to be. Staying at home, chilling in your PJs, taking some time out of your day to cook for one another (or at least Doordash something), playing your favorite music and drinking some wine. You can dress up in your fanciest clothes and have a candle-lit date in your balcony or backyard. You can create a fun scavenger hunt, build a fort out of blankets and pillows for a major cuddle sesh, or simply take some time out to dance with each other to your favorite song. Things are also slowly starting to open up and if you’re comfortable, outdoor dining, a drive-in movie, hiking, a picnic at the park, going to the beach or even wine tasting at a vineyard are all fun and viable options. Whatever it is, keep it light, airy and fun! Reconnect with one another and let your worries melt away.
Long distance can be absolutely brutal and this is coming from someone who truly knows how it feels. I was in a long distance relationship with my boyfriend for fouryears. Yeah I know, insane. However, as tumultuous and heart wrenching as those times were, they truly made us stronger. (Cliché, but true.) This time is testing all of us, but I know not quite like the ones who are going at this distance stuff all by themselves. The unpredictability of when you’re going to see one another can be daunting and anxiety inducing. I won’t at all claim to be an expert, but here are some things that really helped me when my boyfriend and I were tackling distance.
Be vocal You could be talking to your partner all the time and still not really share what’s going on deep down inside. Be vocal about how you’re feeling. Like I said, these are tough times for everyone and it’s okay to feel vulnerable. It’s also okay to talk about it and convey exactly what you’re thinking. If you miss your partner, ask them to set aside some time for you to truly talk about how things are going. It’s common to “talk” all the time without actually talking about the important stuff. Be open and more communicative with your partner and it’ll really help maintain a solid foundation.
Facetime This is an obvious one. Facetime or any sort of video calling is truly a game changer for long distance relationships. I’m just grateful for a world where we’re not sending carrier pigeons to deliver our love letters (cue the bollywood song ‘kabootar jaa jaa jaa’). There’s so much more you can do through video chatting than just talking. You can have your meals with one another, watch a movie or show together, play an online game, listen to music, and even get intimate and spice your relationship up ;). Honestly, just have fun and do whatever makes you happy and comfortable. The (virtual) world is your oyster.
Make time This one is probably the most important. It’s easy to be on a call together but not truly be present in the moment. It’s so crucial to set aside time for each other just to talk, catch up and ask each other how their day has been going. It’s so easy to get caught up in the moment and get occupied with a million different things even when you’re on the phone with each other. Turn off all the distractions and just focus and prioritize your partner. It truly makes all the difference.
Do the little things Love isn’t always about a grand gesture. I once heard somewhere that love is woven from the small moments, the moments you didn’t see coming or the ones that were completely inconspicuous at first. You don’t realize until later that those are truly the big moments. Love happens in waves, just as most things do. Little things can go a long way. Many partners are celebrating their anniversaries, birthdays and other occasions apart, but that doesn’t mean you can’t do something special for them. Send them a fun present, a little care package, something to remind them that you’re thinking of them. Do it even when there’s no occasion at all. “Just because” flowers or a surprise food delivery – whatever would make your partner smile from ear to ear. The little things add up to everything.
So that’s a wrap for this one, my loves. Are any of these tips helpful to you? How are you coping with your relationship? Is there anything I’m missing out on that works for you? Let me know in the comments below or feel free to message me on Instagram – @sassysherni. Always looking forward to hearing from you guys.
Sassy Sherni 