Throwback Thursday: OOTD

Hey hey! Happy TBT! Happy throwback Thursday!

Major shout out to whomever made TBT a thing because it happens to be one of my favorite social media aspects/hashtags. TBT allows us to look back and just reminisce on some really good times. Random fact: Nostalgia is one of my most favorite things. 

I wanted to share a throwback photo of me probably a year ago? Or a little more than a year ago? This was my outfit to my Zumba class when I used to go to the YMCA in Koreatown, Los Angeles. 

I chose this as a throwback because 1) I really love this outfit (LOL) and 2) I miss going to the gym. LIKE SO BAD!

I went rollerskating with a few friends of mine in late April. This was the first time I have ever gone rollerskating and this was something I really wanted to try. 

The moment I arrived, I got nervous about potentially falling and hurting myself. My soon-to-be 32 year old self realized that I could potentially fall. And boy did I!

That fall hurt like a major beeee yo. 

The funny thing was I fell towards the end of my stay at the rollerskate venue. Most people fall in the beginning right? As they start to get the hang of things? Me? I fall at the end. 

I just couldn't, for the life of me, get the hang of the turns. If you have gone rollerskating or ice skating, you know that most venues have you just go around the perimeter of the venue over and over and over. I wobbled at all corners and had one wall where I just had to end up leaning against when I passed by.

Then disaster struck. I fell backwards on my tush AND bounced. BOUNCED. Both of my friends fell previously before I did and mentioned how painful the fall was but they were both able to carry on after a few minutes of recovery break time. 

Dang, when I got home. I fell asleep and woke up sore. I was so sore that I could not take off my pants. My husband had to help me.

Turns out I had a bruised tailbone which I learned has an estimated recovery of 4 weeks. GAH!

The next two days were awful - I could not bend over; I could barely put on my pants/underwear; I needed assistance going to the bathroom; I would feel pangs of shooting pain randomly or when I accidentally exerted myself; Coughing, laughing, and sneezing hurt. 

Holy moly. It was painful. Each day got better but all of the daily tasks mentioned above were still a challenge. 

I did contact my doctor and was asked to monitor the pain and symptoms. 

As I write this post, it is one week later. As mentioned, the days got easier but the pain (though better) continues. 

All I can say is never again! LOL.

It was fun while it lasted but if I could rewind time, I would have not done this. The tailbone is not a bone you want to mess with. Messing up your tailbone can impact your back. Once you have back problems, the problems never seem to 100% clear.

Sorry if I sound like a such a downer. This bruised tailbone has just really impacted by ability to function. And to be honest (and real), my husband and I were actually going to actually start trying to have a baby the same weekend this happened. Before the rollerskating accident, I had a swollen foot due to a bug bite and before that, I was sick for three weeks.

Just throwing it back to healthy days and positive vibes. And as I close this post, I realize it may not be all cohesive. SORRY. I just wanted to be honest even if everything was all over the place. 

Sometimes that's life?

Me some point after the fall.

Have a beautiful rest of the week and an amazing, restful weekend!

<3<3<3

Sunday Spotlight: Fari$ & Fai

Here's another Spotlight Sunday! :D

This week I wanted to shine the light on an artist I recently discovered on Instagram: Fari$ & Fai. 

I happened to discover his song "My Love" while checking out the Instagram location stories of where I currently live (shout out to Glendale!).

And I dig it! It has an R&B pop vibe to it. Very catchy. The rhythm is something you can get lost in. For me, that's the best kind of music.

When I am at work, I let the album "Very Scary Hours" play on shuffled repeat and it makes the work day a lot easier to get through. I guarantee it! :)

Take a listen for yourself. I'm sure you'll love it just as much as I do!

Definitely follow him on his different social media outlets. You will not regret it!

Instagram: itsjustfaris

Twitter: itsjustfaris

YouTube: www.youtube.com/faris

Save Your Lifting Or Outgrown Manicure

Happy Wednesday, y'all!!

I hope this hump day is going more than well for you! If not, the week is halfway over (silver lining??) 

If you are anything like me (half frugal, half smart shopper?), you know the guilt I feel paying for these gel manicures - like yo! How are they getting more and more expensive year?! - and then the anger and frustration when they start to either grow out or lift in the following 1 - 2 weeks after the manicure.

If I am paying $30 - $50 for my manicure, it better be on my nails looking fresh for a while!!

It is a blessing and a curse that my nails grow quick. Anyone else?!

So instead of shelling out $30 - $50 every two weeks for touch ups or redos, I follow these hacks to keep my manicure going strong for long! 

OUTGROWN MANICURE:
Like anyone else, my nails start out all fresh and banging once I leave the nail salon, but then that freshness will only last for so long. 

Two weeks later, nails are still intact but the nails are growing and the gap between the cuticle and the polish grows wider and wider. The rest of the polish is still fly though. I can't just get it redone two weeks later. Or filled! A fill is still money!

After staring at the annoying gap, I realized and learned that I can just fill it in with regular nail polish at home. 

See the picture below:

TA-DA!!!

I love it!!! What do you think?

This look is actually a style in the manicure world. It is called reverse French manicure. As you know, the typical French manicure has a tip at the end of the nail that is a different color than the remainder of the nail. The reverse French manicure has a the "tip" at the top of the nail by the cuticle. 

It's actually a thing! "Reverse" French because the small tip of color is reversed in position. Get it, get it? :D

LIFTING MANICURE:

I have hit the two week point of my [first time with] dip powder manicure (I LOOOVE IT). For the most part, it is still going strong. However, it is starting to lift by the cuticle and y'all know what that is like - hair getting stuck in our nails in the shower or just hair getting caught in them out of the shower. WHAT A PAIN.

So when my manicure below started to grow out and lift, my heart began to sank. I've been wanting to try this look for a while and I was nowhere near ready to let it go.

Fresh coat

Yes, they are two different colors on each hand. I was undecided. LOL.

How did I fix the lift? I put a clear top coat on the edges of the manicure where it is lifting and filled the gap (basically a top coat reverse French manicure). The nail polish colors are nude so the gap isn't too noticeable or bothersome. 
As you can see, there is some top coat residue on my skin by the cuticles. To be honest, I rarely clean those mistakes. I like to naturally let them wash away. And they always do. 

And that's all folks!

So ladies and gents, SAVE YOUR MANICURE. 

You did not pay all that money to just get it done in two weeks. Oh no, honey! Not on my money-saving time! I got chuuuu.

<3<3<3

Sunday Spotlight: Elmer Abapo

Happy Sunday, everyone!

Another Sunday, another Sunday Spotlight.

Just to recap, last week, I started a new series on my blog called "Sunday Spotlight" highlighting artists whose talents, skills and masterpieces I have grown to love and enjoy. 

This week's Sunday Spotlight goes to Elmer Abapo.

I found him on Instagram but am not exactly sure how. You know it goes - you hit the explore page and one click turns into another click and another click and then boom, an hour goes by but along the way you found some amazing talent!

Elmer Abapo is no exception! His style his hip hop and R&B which are two of my main faves/go-to music choice. And on top of that, he can beat box. He performs mostly in Las Vegas where he lives and is actually Filipino American (hey hey, pare!)

The first song I heard from him was "OMG" which led me to one of my favorites, "Wasting My Time." When his album "Good Intentions" came out, I found other songs that I love. The energy in his music is upbeat and it is so easy to get lost in the rhythm. I have actually listened to his music on Spotify to get me through hikes and 5k races to keep me going and keep me pumped. Thank you, Elmer!

Here are some videos that I have reposted on my Instagram:

OMG 

First song I ever heard. This song got me intrigued and curious to hear more.

Wasting My Time

So he can rap AND sing!

Lights On

He can even sing live!

And he can beatbox

Cover of Childish Gambino's Redbone

Check him out on his different social media avenues. He is a definitely a talent to be acclaimed:

Website: www.elmerabapo.com

YouTube: ElmerAbapo

Instagram: @@elmer.abapo

Twitter: @ElmerAbapo

Go check him out and please let him know that I sent you. 

And please let me know of any artists you enjoy. I definitely want to take a listen or a look. Please share! :D

<3<3<3

If You Don't Go To Coachella, BE Coachella

I am going to say it again:

If you don't go to Coachella, BE Coachella.

Another Coachella season has come and gone. And again, I did not go. LOL.

To be honest (and don't strike me), I have never had a desire to go - I don't like heat (and with my Lupus, I can't be in the sun for long anyway); I don't like crazy crowds, I don't like not being able to sit (in a chair); I don't like spending a lot of money at once. Go ahead, call me cheap. My parents taught me to hella save and I am truly their daughter.

My friend, who happens to be my bridesmale (male bridesmaid), I started this tradition where we dress like we're going to Coachella.  Last year was our first year and it was so much fun we did it again this year!

I initially called it Fauxchella (because it rhymes) and realized there is actually a real event call Fauxchella. So my friend and I changed it to Fakechella. 

Check out some of my favorite photos below:

Weekend One

Music by Cardi B

Weekend Two

I hope you enjoyed this and even chuckled a bit. I know it's a bit silly but it was fun and I love playing with makeup. And I must add that a few of my friends saw these posted pics and wanted to get in the action next year! Hehe!

So Fakechella 2019, we're ready for you!


<3<3<3