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Sunday, April 24, 2016

Michigan's Veg Fest

Yesterday, I attended the Michigan Veg Fest. For almost twenty years, VegMichigan has hosted an annual vegan taste fest and expo. I've been going for the past five years and it's one of my favorite events to go to.  


                   




What the VegFest offers:


  • Foods to sample and buy from local restaurants, bakeries, and national brands
  • Speaking presentations - This year one of the speakers was health advocate and former Detroit Piston, John Salley
  • Cooking demonstrations
  • Hundreds of vendors with cruelty free products and services
  • Booths with organizations such as Mercy For Animals
  • A chance to educate yourself and meet some really cool people!








I signed a petition to ban fracking  

Spent some time with the Motor City Greyhound Rescue



Sampled some delicious snacks!




My favorite food truck! 




Got to ride "Rock The Bike."  While you pedal, the blender creates your smoothie. 




For more information on this event and VegMichigan, go to VegMichigan.Org

As always, if you have any questions, leave a comment below or feel free to email me at TheZenFashionista@Gmail.Com :)

If you would like to subscribe to my blog, I would really appreciate it! You can comment your email below or give it to me personally. If for some reason, you are already subscribed and are not receiving an email in your inbox, check your spam folder.



Until next time,


XOXOTheZenFashionista



Sunday, April 17, 2016

My First Ipsy Glam Bag (April 2016 Review)

Happy Monday! This week is a review on Ipsy's Glam Bag!

I've been wanting to try a beauty subscription box for a long time...and I finally decided that time was now. I signed up for Ipsy (one of the more well known subscription choices). I also signed up for Petit Vour, which is a cruelty free and vegan box. I'll make a post about that box, when I receive it. 

For only ten dollars (free shipping), I figured I had very little to lose. Once my payment was confirmed, I took a quiz that helped determine what products would be sent to me. 

I was put on a waiting list - One thing that I didn't love about Ipsy, is that all over their website and in emails, they tell you that you can skip the wait list or receive early access to see what's in your bag....But - the catch is that you must promote Ipsy on all of your social media accounts... 

They ask you to send their link to Facebook friends, follow all their official accounts, etc. Thankfully, unlike many stories I have heard, I only had to wait a month. 🙏🏻

I went to the mailbox a few days ago and was happy to discover a shiny pink package with my name on it. When I opened it, I found a cute, little cosmetic bag with all my surprise goodies inside.  



There are two opportunities ahead of time to figure out what you will be receiving. The first is before the packages are shipped. You can find out all the products for the month...(They send out different variations of their bag each month). They'll want you to promote them on social media to get "early access."  The second, is a couple days before your Glam Bag arrives, you can log in to your account and see what items you specifically will be receiving. I personally like the element of surprise. 





Here are the products I was given in my Glam Bag this month:

1. Tarte Cosmetics - 

LipSurgence™ lip crème in wonder

Retails for $24 




I've liked the brand for a while because they're known for having cruelty free and vegan products. I wasn't sure if I would love the color, but I ended up liking it. If I were buying it myself, I'd probably choose a different shade, but I will definitely use this lip color. It went on easily and has a very moisturizing feeling. Nice and creamy. It didn't require much touch up. I also have been sick the past week and my lips were chapped...Usually that's a recipe for disaster, but after the application, it looked smooth and you couldn't even tell my lips were chapped. No flaking! 

2. Starlooks -
Creme Eye Shadow in Rose Gold 



I love metallic colors and was super excited to try this eyeshadow. It was easy to apply using just the wand it came with and dried fairly fast. This was my favorite item in my Ipsy Glam Bag!


3. Crown Brush-
C427 Duo Fiber Blush Brush
Retails for $23.73...on sale for $9.49



I was happy to find that I received a makeup brush. I love trying new brushes. This particular brush is used for blush and highlighter. 

The bristles are very soft and the handle has a great grip. I would love to receive brushes quite often from Ipsy!

4. Moroccanoil 
(This was a sample size)



I love using argan oil. I'm familiar with this brand, but hadn't tried it before. 

It has a really wonderful smell and helps to make hair softer and tame frizz. 

5. Jor'el Parker -

Fango Face Mask

(This also was a sample size)



I haven't tried this product yet...but I'm looking forward to it. The company is cruelty free and vegan. This face mask is made with almond oil, avocado oil, green tea and volcanic ash minerals. It can also be used on your body. 



In conclusion, I would definitely recommend Ipsy. You get far more than $10.00 in value and who doesn't want to try new products? 


Sign Up For Ipsy's Glam Bag

Have you tried a beauty subscription box before?

As always, if you have any questions, leave a comment below or feel free to email me at TheZenFashionista@Gmail.Com :)

If you would like to subscribe to my blog, I would really appreciate it! You can comment your email below or give it to me personally. If for some reason, you are already subscribed and are not receiving an email in your inbox, check your spam folder.


Until next time,
XOXOTheZenFashionista

Monday, April 11, 2016

21 Things That Make Me Happy

Happy Monday! This week, I am blogging about 21 things that make me happy. :)


1. Getting Inspired - I love the feeling of being inspired. It's like anything is possible and is just an overall good feeling. I get inspiration from nature, reading positive quotes, two of my role models, (Alana Stewart and Yolanda Hadid), when I create a vision board, from other fashion bloggers, from songs, and when I am around like-minded people.




2. Loved ones - Friends and family mean everything to me.


My best friend Ashley


My mom


                                                                                 My dad


Emma, Ashley, and Adrienne 


3. Laughter - I love just talking with someone who makes me laugh. I always look forward to phone calls with my friend Jacqui, because it's non stop laughter when I speak with her.


Fun with some of my favorite people!


My girly, Jacqui


4. Cooking/Vitamix - I love creating a delicious meal. It's very satisfying to know I made it. For the holidays, I received a Vitamix. It's one of my favorite items. I just want to take it everywhere.




5. Traveling - One of my passions in life is traveling. It feeds my soul. I feel incomplete when I haven't traveled in a while. My favorite place to travel is to Denver, Colorado. I have a really close friend who I stay with and I'm at peace when I am there. The mountains and sunsets are beautiful, and I feel spiritually connected to the area.


Wandering around Venice Beach in California


                                                                        The sunset in Denver
    


                                                                          With Dee Dee <3

6. Sentimental items - Some of my favorite belongings evoke a smile and bring me joy.



When I was three, I was given Megan. She was my favorite doll growing up (You can tell she's been loved over the years).



This ring belonged to my grandmother. She was my best friend. When she married my grandfather they took a trip to Arizona, where they met with his family. The ring was given to her by my great grandfather. I wear the ring on a necklace, so that it stays close to my heart.



One of my spiritual mentors and friends, gifted to me a sarong of hers. Whenever, I go on a trip, I take it with me. I feel her positive energy and love and it brings me comfort at times when I am upset. Purple is also my favorite color!



My favorite accessory are rings. I sometimes wear six or seven at a time. A friend of mine gave me a thumb ring that I have been wearing every day for over a year and a half. What is so special about this ring, is that it is a grateful ring. I spin it during my day and think of what I am grateful for. It's a wonderful way to stay in the moment and to foster positive thinking.

7. My dog - Tony. He's my first pet and I can't imagine my life without him.




8. Performing random acts of kindness - My heart is happy when I can help someone. It can be something small like opening a door, or helping them learn how to use an app on their phone. Or it can be something bigger, like volunteering at an assisted living facility or helping with a project. I love to be able to put a smile on someones face.

9. Gratitude/The Universe - I am very spiritual. Manifestation, gratitude and mindfulness play a big part in my life.

10. Smell of a new book

11. Receiving snail mail / Having a package waiting for me

12. Naps

13. Going to temple - Connecting with my faith always makes me happy. My favorite time to go to synagogue is during the summer months. The services are outdoors and it makes for a wonderful evening.




14. Music - I love listening to music. It relaxes me, puts me in a good mood, and inspires me. Some of my favorite artists are: Stevie Nicks, Rod Stewart, Carole King, James Blunt, Tove Lo, Luke Bryan, Melanie Safka, Cher, Neil Diamond, Jewel, Shania Twain, Sarah Brightman, Demi Lovato, and k.d. Lang.

15. Singing - Growing up, I always wanted to be a singer. I've taken vocal lessons and just love to sing.

16. Meeting authentic people - People who are living their truth, and spreading love and positive vibes.  

17. Avocados

18. Colourpop Cosmetics - I am obsessed with this company. I love finding cruelty free/vegan makeup products and their lippie stix and highlighters are some of my favorite beauty products that I own.


                                                              Wearing the "Brills" Lippie Stix

19. Sunshine - The sun is an automatic mood enhancer. I love being able to go for walks and to just sit and be one with nature.


Labyrinth in Sedona, Arizona


                                                                   Sunset at Lake Las Vegas
                                     
20. Learning something new - I love to learn new things. Whether it be from a conversation, a book, a course....I'm always learning...Learning is something that lasts a lifetime. :P

21. Getting out of my comfort zone - Initially, I may feel apprehensive about trying something new and challenging myself to do something I am not so comfortable with. Once I do, I feel accomplished. I obtain new skills and opportunities and am always glad that I chose to go for it.


I hope you enjoyed this post....I'd love to hear what brings you happiness! Let me know in the comment section below.


As always, if you have any questions, leave a comment below or feel free to email me at TheZenFashionista@Gmail.Com :)

If you would like to subscribe to my blog, I would really appreciate it! You can comment your email below or give it to me personally. If for some reason, you are already subscribed and are not receiving an email in your inbox, check your spam folder.

Until next time,
XOXOTheZenFashionista


Monday, April 4, 2016

10 Items for $10 Or Less

Happy April! This week's blog post is a list of 10 items that you can get for $10 or less (these would make great gifts)!


Bunny Sleep Mask -  $5.99
How cute is this sleep mask?


No explanation necessary. Who doesn't want a pair of pizza socks? 






I love face masks and I have seen this particular one mentioned numerous times. They sell it at both Ulta and Sephora. It is formulated with red wine, green tea, jasmine, and rosemary extract and is paraben-free.

Complete Precision Blending Set - $9.99




Beauty blenders are extremely popular right now. What I love about this duo is that it comes with a blending brush...the perfect combination!


Lush is my go to place for bath bombs and this is one of their featured choices.

Look how pretty it is!

(Photo credit goes to vvnightingale)



Any fanatic of the TV show Friends would really appreciate this for a gift.



I love shopping on Etsy because the majority of the items sold are handmade. How cute is this mug? 

I love anything with lace and think this would make a nice overnight or travel cosmetic bag.




I bought this sketchbook as a gift for my best friend and she loves it. It's great quality!

Vogue Coloring Book - $8.88 (Current sale price)


This officially goes on sale tomorrow, April 5th...but is available for pre-order today. I've been waiting for this coloring book for at least six months. Being the fashionista that I am, I can't wait to get my hands on this! 


Let me know what you think! Have a wonderful week!

As always, if you have any questions, leave a comment below or feel free to email me at TheZenFashionista@Gmail.Com :)

If you would like to subscribe to my blog, I would really appreciate it! You can comment your email below or give it to me personally. If for some reason, you are already subscribed and are not receiving an email in your inbox, check your spam folder.

Until next time,
XOXOTheZenFashionista