Happy Monday, Babes!
I hope your week is off to a killer start. As we begin a new week, I just wanted to pop-in and give you an inside look into how I give myself enough #SelfCare to make it through the week as cool, calm and collected as possible. My first bit of advice? Never be afraid to treat yo 'self! From buying yourself flowers at the local market, to lighting a candle and unwinding with a nightly skincare routine, there are many ways to treat yourself -- and it doesn't have to break the bank. Personally, I love putting on a good face mask and letting my mind wander while I sit at my window (or on my fire escape when it's nice out... cliché New Yorker over here). 
This week, I'm partnering with Bioré to keep the self-care love going all week long.
I've loved Bioré's nose pore strips for longer than I can remember (am I the only one who thinks it's cool/fun to see all of the gunk they pull out of your nose?!), so I was SUPER excited when I was asked to try out their new Deep Cleansing Charcoal Pore Strips. These innovative nose pore strips work like a grime magnet, lifting out deep-down oil and removing blackheads from even your most clogged pores. And the best part? The black charcoal strips allow you to easily see all of the gross things that are no longer on your face -- what more could you ask for?! If diminishing your pores and removing grime is on the top of your skincare priority list, I recommend using these once a week for maximum stripping action. 
While pore strips are great, my absolute f a v o r i t e way to de-stress and give myself some love is by putting on a face mask, turning on some music I love, lighting a nice candle, and just letting my mind run free. However, with this special Charcoal Self-Heating One-Minute Mask, no distractors are needed!
This mask is SO cool because it literally heats itself right on your face, delivering a spa-like treatment to your face, in your own home, in under one minute. And when I saw spa-like, YOU GUYS, I mean it -- this felt so good on my skin that I couldn't believe it came in a small little packet, and it only took 1 minute to complete. Plus, it's infused with natural charcoal, so you know it's going to be good for you. 
As Winter ends and Spring (finally) gets closer and closer, I'm excited to use both of these amazing products to get my skin ready for warmer weather.
What are some of your favorite ways to take care of yourself? Let me know in the comments below, and get shopping for these babies on Amazon or your local drugstore! xoxo, Lara
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 Happy March, loves! I hope your month is off to a great start! Is anyone else confused as to how we're already closing in on being a quarter of the way through the year?! As you may have seen me mention on my Instagram, I'm a big believer that confidence starts from underneath -- both physically and mentally. That's why I'm stepping a bit outside of my comfort zone this week and partnering with BootayBag, the super cute underthings subscription service I'm sure you've seen all over IG. At first, I was hesitant about taking this one on (what will my Mom/boss/etc. think?!), but then I remembered that if I were modeling a bikini, nobody would think twice, so I thought, "why the hell not?!". I'm all about encouraging others to feel comfortable in their own skin without the fear of what others may think, as it's a constant struggle I'm going through myself. My favorite thing about BootayBag, aside from the general positivity the brand spreads, is that it helps you keep your undie game strong, so that you always feel ready for anything. They send you two cute pairs a month (you can choose always thong, never thong or a mix), for just $12/month. They are always switching things up with new colors and patterns, so check out their Instagram for a sample of past pairs!   So, what are you waiting for?! Sign up now and you'll have an adorable present to you, from you to look forward to every month!
xoxo, Lara This post is sponsored by BootayBag, but all opinions are my own. Thanks for supporting the brands that make laravlw.com possible!  IMHO, Valentine's Day should be a year-round mindset. Sending flowers, planning surprise date nights, spending time with those you love (including yourself)... count me in! This year, my bae and I decided to share special experiences together -- from a dinner-and-movie night to an upcoming staycation in the city! While experiences truly are the best gift, I also love keeping his style in check from season to season. Sprezza Box makes it easy to do just that for just $28/month. They feature a variety of stylish designers each moth, and send a curated box of goodies straight to your man whenever you'd like.  Just in time for Valentine's Day, my boyfriend received this perfect set of blue-hued goodies that fit his style perfectly. He wore the tie and tie clip out to our romantic dinner, and it was a hit!
How was your Valentine's Day -- and more importantly, how do you plan to keep the romance going? Let me know in the comments, and have a great weekend! xoxo, Lara   I can't believe it's already February! January seriously felt like it lasted a full 12 months, and I've been enjoying the change. It's been v cold here in New York, but with each passing month, we get closer and closer to those warm Summer days! Valentine's Day is a very interesting time of year. Whether you're in a relationship or not, it always brings about a series of interesting emotions. But no matter who you're spending it with, it's the perfect time of year to show yourself some love! If you've been following along with me this year, you know my #1 priority this year is taking care of myself. Feeling comfortable in your own skin is SO important, and it's one of the best ways to learn to love yourself (inside and out!). In my quest to love who I am, I've been starting to live more intentionally; I've been going to the gym regularly(ish), eating better, focusing on skincare, and getting more in-tune with my mental health. Let me know how you're loving yourself this Valentine's Day in the comments, and go pour yourself a glass of wine.
xoxo, Lara 
Is anyone else absolutely D Y I N G to get out of this winter wasteland and into some sunshine and a cute new bikini, stat?
I don't know about you, but that's 100% how I've been feeling ever since #BombCyclone2018 hit here in NYC. I cannot wait to take some warm weather trips later on this year, but for now, all I have is my Pinterest dream board to hold me over! 'Tis the season for mood and vision boards, but since it's so cold out and I don't have a printer, I went with an all-digital one this year! I highly recommend making your own, even if it's just a compilation of pictures and quotes that make you happy. It's nice to have something to look at every once in a while to remind you of your goals, or even just to make you smile -- whether it's about upcoming travel plans, decor inspo, wellness goals, or whatever else. Mine is a combination of just about everything -- scroll through the widget below or click this link to check out some of the places + things that are inspiring me this year! If you're making a Pinterest or blog-based mood board this year, leave me a link to check it out in the comments :). xoxo, Lara vLW   Happy 2018, y'all!
I feel like I always get super excited to revamp my blog around this time of year, but for some reason, this year feels different. Ever since moving to New York I've been eager to continue making fun content in this magical city, but as you all know, life can get in the way when you throw a full-time job into the mix! But I know how happy it makes me whenever I am able to share my POV with you all, so I really want to make this a priority this year. When it comes to New Year's resolutions as a whole, I'm all about attainable goals that are actually achievable! Throw in a tiiiiny dash of aspiration, and you're sure to be set up for success :). Read on for my top goals of 2018 (in no particular order):
To keep myself accountable, I'll be checking in with monthly and weekly goals via my daily planner -- but the most important thing to keep in mind for your own goals is that life is flexible, and you should be, too! What are your top goals for 2018? Let me know in the comments below, and stay tuned for all of the fun content I have planned for 2018! xoxo, Lara vLW  *This is a sponsored post. All opinions are my own -- thank you Ami Clubwear for sending me the most adorable swimsuit for my trip! Hi guys! If you follow me on Insta (which you totally should), you know that I was in Palm Springs a few weeks ago. All of this Coachella action has me missing the desert big time! If you're heading that way anytime soon, keep reading as I'm about to help you have the best Palm Springs vacay EVER. Where To Stay: The Saguaro Palm Springs I actually discovered this hotel on Instagram last year, and ever since that first visit I became obsessed. It has everything you need right on site, including a Taco & Tequila bar El Jefe! What more could a girl need?!?!? From the mountainous desert backdrop to the extremely colorful property, this place is total blogger heaven. I could spend all day lounging by the pool, frozen margarita in hand without a complaint in the world... and they even have two hot tubs for nighttime. PRO TIP: Be sure to purchase everyone's favorite reusable watermelon mug from the bar pool when you get there -- it's super cute AND gets you two drinks for the price of one every time you refill it!    What To Do: Explore the City In between pool sessions, you definitely have to check out the downtown area. The Saguaro offers free bike rentals to hotel guests, so take advantage of them and go explore! Between all of the Midcentury Modern buildings and art, the boutique shops and desert eats, there's so much to see and do around town. If you're the adventurous type, Palm Spring's famous Aerial Tramway is a great way to view desert landscapes from two miles up. It's best right before sunset, but try and get up there before it gets dark! You can even eat dinner up there, too. PRO TIP: If you're an Instagram addict like me, be sure to visit That Pink Door! Located at 1100 E Sierra Way, Palm Springs, CA 92264, it makes for the PERFECT Insta backdrop.  What To Wear: Swim, Swim & More Swim! Of course you're going to want cute outfits for exploring and going out, but you'll most likely be spending LOTS of time by the pool, so plan accordingly. I was absolutely obsessed with this adorable mermaid top from AMI Clubwear -- they have the cutest swimsuits for summer at unbeatable prices! Stock up before they're gone.   I had a great time taking a break from my fast-paced city life in New York, but I'm happy to be back! I can't wait to visit Palm Springs and The Saguaro again soon.
Where are you headed this spring and summer? Let me know in the comments below, and be sure to check out AMI Clubwear for all your spring/summer needs! xoxo, Lara  Happy almost spring, everyone! If you have curly hair like me, it can be hard to find products that leave your hair looking healthy and shiny during the winter months. I'm always on the lookout for products that keep the frizz down, despite freezing temps, wind, and random bursts of humidity! If you have curly hair like me, you also know how annoying it can be waiting for your hair tools to heat up to maximum capacity. Lucky for us, usmooth's straightener has titanium plates that allow the tool to heat up fast, and your hair to recover even faster. Finally having a safe way to quickly straighten your hair, without taking away from your precious "snooze-button" time... t's a win-win!  usmooth also offers a complete line of haircare products made to keep your hair shiny and protected from season to season, with natural ingredients such as sunflower oil. All of their products are sulfate, gluten and paraben free, making them safe to use on any hair type. From shampoo and conditioner to post-shower curl lotion, they have your hair covered from roots to tips.
What are your favorite cold weather hair remedies? Ready to give usmooth a try? Let me know in the comments below! xoxo, Lara This is a sponsored post. All opinions are my own. Here's a hint: It's mostly Glossier.  Ever since I came back from winter break where my sister helped me revamp my beauty routine, I've been getting soooo many questions about how I do my makeup. As such, I've finally gotten around to sharing all of my fave products with all of you! Read on to see how I craft the perfect, dewy, no makeup-ish makeup look (yes, that I'm wearing in the photo above!):  PHASE ONE: WASH, PRIME, MOISTURIZE & TINT Wash: Glossier's Milky Jelly Cleanser. This face wash is seriously the best. It's silky and smooth, and the perfect way to start your day. I use mine in the shower with my Clarisonic Mia 2 brush. Moisturizer/Primer: Glossier's Priming Moisturizer. Exfoliating your face regularly can leave it pretty dry, so it's important to give it some juice. I love this 2-in-1 because it a) takes a step out of my already packed morning routine and b) is a light-weight alternative to using multiple products that achieve the same effect. I apply a thin layer with my fingers and give it some time to settle in before moving onto the next product. Skin Tint: Glossier's Perfecting Skin Tint in Medium. I think you're supposed to use this product as a foundation itself, but I haven't achieved that level of confidence yet (lol). I've always had issues with acne and uneven skin coloration, so a thin layer of this gives my foundation an even base to sit on top of, which helps give me that flawless final look. I apply this directly to my face and rub it into my skin with my fingers. Keep in mind it is VERY concentrated, so a little goes a long way! Foundation: L'Oreal's True Match Lumi in W5. Can you believe the key secret to my new beauty look is a drugstore foundation?? This product seriously has a flawless finish that gives me a dewy glow. I love how it gives me hardcore coverage without feeling heavy. I apply this with a damp beauty blender and blot it evenly onto my face, gently pressing until I have even coverage.  PHASE TWO: BROWS, LASHES, BRONZE, HIGHLIGHT & SET
Brows: M.A.C's Veluxe Brow Liner in Dirty Blonde. A good brow starts with a good threading, but it comes full circle with this amazing brow pencil. I first set the shape with the built-in brush, and then outline my brows before filling them in to my desired look. I also go over them with a Q-Tip to take off excess product and give them a more natural, blended look. Bronzer: Physician's Formula Butter Bronzer in Light. Once again, another key ingredient to my look is a drugstore product! This bronzer is true to its name with its buttery, soft feel. I love how easily it blends into my foundation to give me the perfect contoured complexion. I start out by hollowing out my cheekbones, followed by even circles on my temples. I then outline my chin and blend around my entire face to create an even look. Highlighter: Glossier's Haloscope in Quartz. THIS PRODUCT IS MY ALL-TIME FAVE. It glides right on (reminds me of a glue stick, but it doesn't feel sitcky!) for the perfect glow. I glide it a few times over the top of each cheekbone, then on the bridge of my nose and my cupid's bow. I then use my finger to blend around the edges, and use my beauty blender to take any extra shine off the edges. Mascara: Too Faced's Better Than Sex Mascara. You'll never know just how true the name of this product is until you try it. It glides easily onto my lashes for a full, Insta-ready look. Setting Spray: Urban Decay's All Nighter. To complete my look, I spray this beauty over my entire face and wave it dry with my hands. It keeps me looking fresh all day long, while giving me the perfect dewy sheen. That's it! It can seem like a lot at first (it's certainly WAY more than I used to take the time to put on everyday), but it gets easier over time and is definitely worth it. Let me know what you think and which products are your fave! P.S. this is NOT a sponsored post, but feel free to use my link to save 20% on your first Glossier purchase! Until next time, xoxo, Lara 
Happy February!
How are we already halfway through the second month of 2017?! It's been a while, but I'm back with a super exciting post for y'all. If you've been texting me lately, you've probably been wondering why your texts have been coming through green instead of blue. It's because -- wait for it! -- I've been using an Android phone! I've partnered up with Coolpad to test out their new Conjr smartphone, and although I've been all iPhone all the way for quite some time now, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoy this phone. 
First of all, I really like how sleek the design of the phone is. The metal casing is super lightweight and durable, with the fingerprint sensor on the back! I actually prefer it here instead of on the front like the iPhone, as it's a lot easier to pick up and use -- and it can store up to 5 prints for easy access!
As far as the camera goes, it actually has slightly better specs than the iPhone 6s. It also has a "beauty" mode when taking selfies, which is like that one Snapchat filter for everyday! There's also a pretty cool feature that guesses your age when taking a photo, which is actually crazy-accurate. The other thing I really like about this phone is just how easy it is to multi-task, which I appreciate as a busy girl! If I'm on the phone and want to check my email (or scroll Instagram...), or I'm messaging someone on Facebook and want to do something else while I wait for them to reply, a small, movable icon pops up on my screen that allows me to switch between tasks with ease. 
As a city girl constantly on the go, I always need to be connected to my email accounts, messages and social feeds no matter where I am. The Coolpad Conjr makes that possible, especially since it connects seamlessly with my (Android Wear) Michael Kors Access smartwatch!
The best part? The Coolpad Conjr clocks in at just under $180, making it an accessible smartphone that doesn't compromise on features! Making things happen is a lot easier with the Coolpad Conjr. Ready to give it a shot? Go check out the rest of the specs here, and make the Coolpad Conjr your next smartphone! GIVEAWAY! Think you've got what it takes to win A Coolpad Conjr for yourself? Share your best selfie with #OhMySelfie between 2/20 and 2/26, and be sure to tag @CoolpadAmericas! xoxo, Lara |
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