Mindfully Glam!

Hello everyone!

The time has come where I must transfer you over to my new blog, Mindfully Glam

Mindfully Glam: a place where wellness meets glamour.

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If you’re a glam girl like me, you love putting on makeup, stepping out in a pair of stilettos and wearing the latest fashion trends.  You may also be passionate about exercise, meditation and incorporating healthy eating habits into your lifestyle. You’ll typically catch me at the newest hotspot in SoHo or a meditation studio in Flatiron..probably all in the same evening!  If any of this sounds familiar, then you know that life is about balance, and Mindfully Glam gives you just that.

Living in New York City is a challenge in so many ways, but I realized that you don’t have to compromise who you are or the person that you want to be in order to be happy here.  It took me three years to find my place and figure out how to stay grounded in a chaotic city that attempts to throw me out of alignment on a daily basis.

This lifestyle blog is all about positive thinking, gratitude, spirituality, fashion, beauty, holistic health, wellness, nutrition, and everything both mindful and glam!

Happens for a Reason will always hold a dear place in my heart.  Please check out my new blog and subscribe here!

Xx Marisa

 

3 Sneaky Signs You’re Self-Sabotaging-  How I Let Go of Fear & Launched My Dream Blog

Hello everyone! Words cannot explain how happy and proud of myself I am for finally launching Mindfully Glam.  I feel like I’ve been talking about rebranding and relaunching for years now, but I actually only started this process back in July.  Everything has come such a long way since then and has developed beautifully, better than I envisioned, and I am just genuinely so excited!

I was my goal to launch before the end of 2017, but I had some hiccups along the way, like moving to a new apartment and taking on more at work.  I also got in my own way many times..enter today’s topic about self-sabotaging.

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Everything in life is mind over matter.  Your mind is stronger than your body, and your thoughts are stronger than your actions.

I had some setbacks that were out of my control, but I’d say 80% of my setbacks were a me problem because I was self-sabotaging.

I was self-sabotaging out of fear—the fear that I’m good enough to launch a blog or Youtube channel and the fear that what I’m doing is not going to be well receive and I’m going to embarrass myself.  Most importantly what if this fails? What if this is all a waste of time?

Although I think vulnerability is one of the strongest qualities to have, I was afraid to be vulnerable.  I had this huge mental block that I could not break through.

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I prayed on it, and I set my intentions out into the Universe to help me release this fear.  A few days into the new year, something just clicked and my whole attitude and perception changed.

I was able to let go of the outcome of starting a blog and Youtube channel.  If I failed, I failed.  If I embarrassed myself, I embarrassed myself.   I was doing this for me.  This was a goal of mine and I needed to accomplish it, regardless of the outcome.

It took me over the course of six months to realize I was self-sabotaging.  It was actually someone else who pointed it out to me.  I did some self-reflection, and I became aware of what I was doing and how I was doing it.  So here are three sneaky signs that you may be doing the same things and self-sabotaging your goals:

  1. Procrastination

I’m queen of the phrase “I’ll do it later.” I am the master of never finishing projects that I start—something I am very aware of and seriously trying to work on!   Whatever it is, get it done.  For me, putting things on the back burner causes stress and anxiety that builds up over time.  One day you’ll wake up and think about all long list of things you have to do.  You’ll be so overwhelmed that you don’t want to do any of them, so you’ll feel like the only option is giving up.

  1. Excuses 

“I’m too busy” or “I don’t have time.”  These two are my favorites and most used.  This also ties in with procrastination, but I think this deserves it’s own recognition.  I am the type of person who always has to be busy.  It is very difficult for me to empty out my mind, even for just a few hours.  I noticed that I am trying to get out of working on my blog, I will literally create a full day’s activity agenda in order to validate the fact that “I’m to busy” to work on my blog.  I’ll say yes to every and any invitation to do something, when I can easily so no.  Or, I’ll reach out to people myself, so I’ll have a full day of being out of the house and zero time for my blog.  I’d go out of my way to validate my excuses and procrastination.

  1. Negative Thinking 

This is just touching the surface; I can write a whole book on the power of negative thinking.  It’s human nature to have doubts, but that doesn’t give us a free pass on thinking in a negative mindset.   If you are constantly getting down on yourself and thinking negatively about yourself, you are going attract more negativity into your life and make it harder for yourself to achieve your goals.

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Once upon a time, I used to be a perfectionist. I would beat myself up about every little thing I did wrong.  Over time, I diminished my own self-confidence.  It’s taken me years to build it back up.  Don’t be like old me.  Anytime you have negative thought about yourself, immediately reach for a positive one.  Don’t be so hard on yourself, and certainly down beat yourself up.

So, do a little self-reflection.  Take a look at your life, goals, and thinking patterns.  Are you self-sabotaging?

At the end of the day, we are all our own worst enemies.  In order to reach your dreams, you have to get out of your own way.  Let go of the fear that is holding you back.  Let go of your procrastination, excuses, and negative thinking.  Allow yourself to believe in yourself.

Remember that you typically feel the strongest desire to quit right before you are about to achieve your goal.

P.s. Cowel Neck Pencil Dress from Romwe and Color Blog Faux Fur Coat by Shein! I love these styles together.  This is the perfect Winter dress and jacket (although it is very lightweight!).  Romwe and Shein have the trendiest clothes and accessories for each season!

 

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Xx Marisa

 

Upbra: A Girl’s Best Friend

Ladies—I have found the most amazing piece of clothing on the planet! A push up bra that gives you everything you want and more.  Upbra: where have you been all my life?!

The Upbra was designed with three goals in mind: 1.  Cleavage that you never thought was possible 2. Fully adjustable so that women could select the amount of lift they’d like 3. To create this cleavage and lift naturally without excessive padding.

This bra is amazing. It pushes you up all in the right places, and makes the gals look amazing and very natural.

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For the most part, I have been eating healthy and exercising (despite the holidays!), and I hate to say it, but I swear I lost some cleavage weight. This bra gives me the extra push up that I need.

My favorite part is that they make strapless bras! I feel like I wear strapless bras more than regular bras.  This strapless bra doesn’t slip, and still gives you the perfect push up.  They also have a gorgeous swimsuit line—how perfect for the summer months!

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Thank you for the collab Upbra!

Xx Marisa

My Favorite Fall Looks x SheIn Wishlist

Hello, babes! Fall has arrived, and I am so excited!  In my last post, I created a list of 21 reasons why I’m excited for fall with one of them being fall fashion, of course!  I have a ongoing wishlist of so many styles on SheIn, but I’ve narrowed down just a couple of my favorites and thought I’d share with you.  Here are some of my favorite picks from the start of the season:

1.  Faux Fur Jackets, Coats & Vests

 

 

2.  Pleather Bottoms

 

3. Blouses with Ruffles & Bell Sleeves

 

 

4. Unique Blazers

 

During fall and winter, you’ll constantly see me wearing pleather skirts..I think I own about six different colors now!  I have been trying to find my perfect pair of pleather pants, and I love these Cigarette Buckle Pants shown above.  I am also a fan of pleather shorts (although I only own one pair of these).  As for faux fur, I’m obsessed with different colors and patterns on jackets and vests.  I love how Shein incorporated faux fur sleeves on the Belted Hem Heathered Jacket above.  Ruffles and bell sleeves have been popular summer trends (personally, my favorite trends of summer 2017!), and I’m more than ready to continue to include these looks into my fall wardrobe.  In the past I haven’t been one to wear blazers, but I love the sophisticated look, and I’m hoping to wear more this season.  I love a trendy blazer with unique details like the two pictured above.  Although they are both white and Labor Day has passed, I think you can get away with these looks for just a little bit longer 🙂

Shop my favorite styles here and have a happy, stylish Fall!

Xx Marisa

Falling Into Place

A year ago today, I was in a really bad place. I was lost and confused. I was frustrated and stuck.  I had zero confidence and no sense of who I was as a person. I had no idea which direction to go in. I was overwhelmed and let my anxiety run my life. The simplest of tasks seemed difficult, and I felt like nothing was going my way.

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It’s all about perception, and during this time, I chose to look at life with a negative outlook. It seemed easier that way. I was vibrating at such a low frequency and living in a mundane fog. The more negatively I thought, the more negativity I attracted into my life. I was trapped and claustrophobic to the point where I had to physically remove myself from the situation and leave the city in order to gain clarity and just a mere sense of who I was again.

One of the most important things I’ve learned over the past year is that your thoughts create your life, and if you change your thoughts, you can change your life.

So much can happen in a year—it’s wild. Over time and with a lot of gratitude, forgiveness, and self-love and care, I successfully changed my life because I changed the way I viewed my world around me. Like attracts like, and positivity attracts positivity. My life now and the way I live it is completely different compared to a year ago.

Today I was catching up with one of my close friends over the phone, and she told me that everything is falling into place for me.   I have been thinking this for the past few months now, but it’s so much more rewarding and satisfying when you hear it from someone else. Not everything in my life has fallen perfectly into place, but I’m not striving for perfection. It’s all about the journey, and I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be right now in this given moment.

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Xx Marisa

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Dress: AMIClubwearBracelet: C.Wonder, Earrings: Forever 21Forever 21, Lipstick: Kylie Lip Kit “Maliboo”

All photography is by Josh Lobel (@jlobelphoto) and shot at NoMo SoHo

HASK Exotic Hair Oils to the Rescue

Hi friends! HASK recently launched three new and exciting Exotic Oil Collections, and I had the opportunity to try their new Orchid & White Truffle Collection.  I love HASK products because they are made right here in the USA and they do not test any of their products on animals, which is really important to me.  Their products are also safe on color-treated hair and all hair types and textures, whether straight, curly, wavy, long or short.

Living in the Northeast, the winter months are very drying to my hair, which makes it look dull and lifeless.  Lately, my hair also looks overworked and damaged from overusing my curling and flat irons.  Because I have been overworking my hair, I knew these products would be perfect for me!  The HASK three-piece set includes shampoo, conditioner, and a deep-conditioner that are moisture-packed and designed to instantly rehydrate your hair and leave it looking nourished and revitalized.

HASK uses only the finest ingredients in their formulas.  With the orchid extract sourced from Belgium, and white truffle from the South of France, this set works to strengthen the proteins and to re-balance and restore your dry, overworked hair.  HASK’s collections are packed with replenishing nutrients and concentrated amino acids to restore your hair to its natural beauty.  The end result is lush, shiny and healthy-looking hair!  Not to mention, these products smell amazing!

I used the shampoo and conditioner as I normally would #LatherRinseRepeat.  Post shower, I tried out the moisture rich deep conditioner.  As directed, I applied a generous amount of the conditioner on my clean, wet hair, and then I massaged it into my hair, focusing on the damaged areas (specifically my dry split ends).  I left it in for 10 minutes and then rinsed it out.  After letting my hair air dry, I could see and feel a huge difference in the texture of my hair.  I couldn’t believe how smooth and radiant my hair looked.  My hair felt so healthy after this three-part treatment!  It was super shiny and I felt like I had a hair treatment at a salon!

I strongly recommend using these products for your dry, dull hair! You will be happy with the results and your hair will thank you for it!  HASK also makes a Coconut Milk & Organic Honey collection for curly hair as well as a Blue Chamomile & Argan Oil collection for blondes! Click here to learn more about these products!

Thank you for the sponsorship, HASK!

Xx Marisa

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Say You’ll Be There

“Four things for success: work and pray, think and believe” -Norman Vincent Peale
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“Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated” -Confucius

“It always seems impossible until its done” -Nelson Mandela

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“The life of inner peace, being harmonious and without stress, is the easiest type of existence” -Norman Vincent Peale

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“Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it” -Charles R. Swindoll

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Bomber jacket: Zara
Pants: Zara
Necklace: Zara
Shoes: Vince Camuto

Lip Stain: Revlon

Eyeshadow Palette: Lancome

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Bradley Theodore‘s pineapple street art found on the side of Juice Generation on 18th & Broadway
Photography by Tiffany Chen @photosbytifff