Let It Go

January was an amazing first month of 2017 for me. I am so excited for the year ahead, yet I’ve noticed that my excitement has lead to trying to force situations and experiences into my life. Because of this, I thought it might be time to write a post about surrendering.

I have been trying to trust the flow of life for some time now. Although it can be extremely difficult in the moment, I believe surrendering to the world around you makes for a happier, less frustrating life.

Growing up as a perfectionist, I spent years micro-managing every aspect of my life. Now, I spend my free time trying to undo all that I have taught myself. Every situation I experience or person I come in contact with is an opportunity to use my new surrendering tools and rethink how I am going to react to a situation or person.

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Have you ever forced a situation to happen or chased after someone? Did you realize that the more you force or chase, the more they run away? Well, if it doesn’t open, it’s not your door. It’s as simple as trying to fit a square peg into a round hole—it’s just not going to happen.

Instead of forcing something to work out, ask for guidance and surrender the situation to the Universe. Surrendering is neither giving up nor defeat. Although it may not feel like it, you still remain in control of your life, as you are consciously choosing to go with the flow of life.

With practice, surrendering can become empowering—you are choosing to surrender to a higher power/the Universe/the world and acknowledging that some things are just not meant to be (right now). Don’t forget that “no” doesn’t mean “no” necessarily, it means “not right now.”

Letting go may be upsetting at first, but the feeling of knowing that there is something greater for you out there is certainly more uplifting than trying to control and micro-manage every aspect of your life yourself. The rush of relaxation and calmness that surrendering gives me is far better than the anxiety that comes with trying to force something or someone into my life.

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This stunning jewelry is by Anne Koplik Designs, a handcrafted jewelry brand based in NY and designed with crystals by Swarovski.  You might have caught some of their pieces on the T.V. show Dancing with the Stars, as they have been the exclusive provider of jewelry  since Season 5.  If only I could constantly wear this jewelry and samba with Derek Hough!

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Their jewelry has also been featured at the American Music Awards, Daytime Emmy Awards, Tony Awards, The Wendy Williams show, The Home and Family Network, Entertainment Tonight, and The Insider.

Anne Koplik has a wide variety of jewelry styles–I’m talking every color, crystal, and design imaginable on necklaces, bracelets, and earrings.  I got a sneak peak at their new line for Spring, and I narrowed my favorite choice down to a delicate choker with a sparkling pendant and earring set.  You’ll be able to shop these new spring  styles in the upcoming weeks.  If you love this look as much as I do, check out more chokers here.

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Being a model (and a lot of times a hand model), I have to keep my nails freshly manicured at all times.  Enter the gel-manicure which is hassle free (until it starts to chip) because it lasts for two weeks.  Although I get bored with the color usually after week 1, I get my money’s worth and stick it out.   I hate the process of taking a gel manicure off at home, I find myself going to the salon every two weeks on the dot.

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After bopping around on the internet one day, I came across Red Carpet Manicure, which is the first at-home LED Gel Manicure system, and boy, is this product a game changer.  Red Carpet Manicure sent me their Portable LED Light and a bunch of  LED polish colors to play with.  This light is so easy to use, and you can give yourself a gel manicure in the comfort of your own home (i.e. while watching Real Housewives of Beverly Hills).  Not to mention, Red Carpet Manicure was also the official nail sponsor of the 2016 Victoria’s Secret Fashion show!  You can also find a bunch of other products, including nail kits, one-step gel polishes, and nail treatments on their website.  Shop these products here!

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Thank you Anne Koplik Designs and Red Carpet Manicure!

Xx Marisa

P.s. These make great Valentine’s Day gifts for your sweetie 🙂

 

PUMA x DSW Vikky Platform Launch

Hey friends!

This week I had the opportunity to attend the Puma x DSW Vikky Platform launch party! Puma’s Vikky sneaker now has a new look incorporating a higher platform.

The empowering theme of the event was “They follow, I lead,” encouraging you to be your authentic self, be the leader of your own life, and “do you.”

Check out some photos from the event below:

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And let’s not forget the new & fabulous Vikky Platform Puma’s

Thank you Puma, DSW, and Bloglovin’ for having me! I can’t wait to wear my new kicks!

The post is brought to you by Activate by Bloglovin and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone.
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“Not until we are lost do we begin to understand ourselves.”-Henry David Thoreau

“They always say time changes things, but you actually have to change them yourself.” -Andy Warhol

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“Things do not change; we change.”- Henry David Thoreau

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“Knowing others is wisdom, knowing yourself is Enlightenment.”-Lao Tzu

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“You can search throughout the entire universe for someone who is more deserving of your love and affection than you are yourself, and that person is not to be found anywhere. You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe deserve your love and affection.”-Buddha
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This jaw-dropping, stencil-painted mural created by Logan Hicks (@loganhicksny) is Bowery & Houston’s newest street art addition.  Painted in late August, this piece titled “Story of My Life” depicts a large crowd walking down Spring & Greene St. all in the same direction.  Although unfamiliar to us, this crowd includes people important to the artist’s life, including members of his family, such as his son who is actually depicted three times, as well as random passerbys who have been subjects in Hicks’ previous works.
The Bowery Houston mural, found in the Lower East Side, is a gem in the world of street art, as it encourages and promotes the acceptance of graffiti art in the streets of NYC.  Although the works change every three months to a year, the history of the wall can be traced back over 30 years.  More recently, the concept of the wall and the art it illustrates has been preserved  with the help of several different groups.
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Dress: Express
Suede Booties: BCBGeneration
Jacket: Forever 21

Lip Stain: Revlon

Eyeshadow Palette: Lancome

Ear Cuff Earrings: Forever 21

Photography by Tiffany Chen @photosbytifff

Fall Into The Sky

Quotes of the Moment: 

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Quotes found on Instagram

Romper: Design Lab/Lord & Taylor, Ear Cuff Earrings: Forever 21, Lips: Laura Mercier’s Lip Glacé “Pink Spark,” Sunglasses: Bought on the street in Flatiron 🙂

Photos by Devon McLaughlin, The Leveraged Look @theleveragedlook

Radiant Aura

 Flatiron, Manhattan

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“Be happy for this moment. This moment is your life” – Omar Khayyam

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“Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony” -Gandhi

 “Our ambition should be to rule ourselves, the true kingdom for each one of us; and true progress is to know more, and be more, and to do more” -Oscar Wilde

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“To love oneself is the beginning of a lifelong romance” -Oscar Wilde

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“Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see a shadow” -Helen Keller

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“We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars” -Oscar Wilde

Dress: Express; Shoes: Michael Kors, Choker: Forever 21, Lips: Laura Mercier’s Lip Glacé “Pink Spark,” Sunglasses: Bought them on the street in Flatiron 🙂

Photos by Devon McLaughlin, The Leveraged Look @theleveragedlook

Brighter Than Sunshine

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“It is not in the stars to hold our destiny but in ourselves” -William Shakespeare

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“Love all, trust a few, do wrong to none” -William Shakespeare

“We know what we are, but know not what we may be” -William Shakespeare

“God has given you one face, and you make yourself another” -William Shakespeare

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“To do a great right do a little wrong” -William Shakespeare

Bradley Theodore (@bradleytheodore) is hands down my favorite graffiti artist.  He is best known for portraying fashion icons, including Karl Lagerfeld and Anna Wintour, in a colorful, skeletal way.  His is most recent work consists historical icons, such as Queen Elizabeth, and infamous stars, including Audrey Hepburn and Marilyn Monroe.  His work can be found in galleries and on the street throughout the world, specifically in major cities like New York City, Los Angeles, London, and Hong Kong.  In New York, most of his street art is found in Soho and the LES.  The above are found on Rivington and Ludlow in the LES.

Dress: Zara, Earrings & Bracelet: C Wonder, Shoes: Steve Madden, Lipstick: Lancome #333 Pink Preview (Matte)

Photos by Devon McLaughlin, The Leveraged Look @theleveragedlook

Empire State of Mind

This past week marked my 2 year anniversary in New York!  Most days the score is New York: 1, Marisa: 0, but I must thank you, New York City, for making me the person I am today.  Can’t wait to see what year 3 holds! tumblr_ncgygnrpyv1r9fos1o1_500

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Romper: Design Lab/Lord & Taylor, Ear Cuff Earrings: Forever 21, Lips: Laura Mercier’s Lip Glacé “Pink Spark,” Sunglasses: Bought them on the street in Flatiron  🙂

Photos by Devon McLaughlin, The Leveraged Look @theleveragedlook

Unlimited Vitality

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“One isn’t necessarily born with courage, but one is born with potential. Without courage, we cannot practice any other virtue with consistency. We can’t be kind, true, merciful, generous, or honest” -Maya Angelou

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“We may encounter many defeats but we must not be defeated” -Maya Angelou

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“You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them” -Maya Angelou

“If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude” -Maya Angelou

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“Nothing will work unless you do” -Maya Angelou

This colorful mural, featuring musician and singer-songwriter Joey Ramone, can be found on the side of Saxon + Parole on Bleecker Street. In 2015, this piece was commissioned  by the Little Italy Street Art Project (L.I.S.A., @thelisaprjectnyc) and painted by Dublin’s Solus and the Bronx’s John ‘CRASH’ Matos (#SolusxCrash).   The L.I.S.A. Project is “a 501(c)3 charity arts program founded in historic Little Italy bringing events & diverse artists to Downtown, creating NYC only mural district” (-L.I.S.A.).  The mural was strategically painted across the street from CBGB, the location where the band the Ramones originally started.

Top & Sunglasses: H&M, Bracelet: Ralph Lauren, Choker: Forever 21, Shorts: Urban Outfitters, Shoes: Christian Siriano, Lips: L’Oreal 8hr New Nouveau Infallible #320 “Mirror Underneath”

Photos by Devon McLaughlin, The Leveraged Look @theleveragedlook