Reviews #11

Happy New Year! I hope you all had the best end to 2021 and a fantastic start to 2022. I had the absolute pleasure to spend the end of 2021 in Madrid with my family (more to come on that). It truly was the best.

My view walking to SoulCycle - West Village

Welcome back to the blog if you’ve somehow found yourself here. I really dropped the ball on this little passion project of mine. I really got back into writing last year when I was spending lots of time alone at home due to COVID. As things started to open and I got my social life back, I left the blog behind. This especially sucks since the whole of my blog is to capture the fun things I’m doing on a weekly basis. One of my top goals this year is to stay consistent with my blog (along with learning french and investing in experiences). Let’s see if I’m able to stick with these goals.

I’ll be kicking off the year with a podcast, movie, recipe, and workout class review. Let me know what you think of the topics I cover.

What I’m watching… Sing 2! If you haven’t seen the first one, you must. And then immediately after you must watch Sing 2. It is probably one of the best musicals/animated films I’ve seen since I saw Coco. The movie follows the journey of the Moon Theater troop trying to make it in Vegas. They dance, fall in love, overcome obstacles, cultivate interpersonal success, and, of course, sing! Oh and all the characters are cute animals. There’s truly nothing better than seeing animals perform our favorite pop hits. I’d recommend seeing the movie in theaters (as I always do).

What I’m listening to… “Ven y Va Podcast con Dani G. Schulz”. For all my Hispanic, Latinas, and/or Spanish speakers, you must listen to this podcast. I’d specifically recommend listening to her “aprender a soltar” episode which I’ve linked. She discusses her holidays in isolation with covid and how she took the time to challenge herself. She has such a personable and direct way of explaining her thoughts and emotions. I adore her.

What I’m making… Half Baked Harvest’s Roasted Cauliflower Salad. My friends and I whipped up this delicious salad as a side to our dinner the other night. If you’re looking for a salad to bring to a dinner or if you want to impress yourself with how yummy salad can be, check out this recipe. My favorite part is the dressing. I think I’ll be adding it to all my salads going forward.

Favorite salad served with shrimp and roasted potatoes!

What I’m reading… Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens. I can’t believe how long it took me to is read this book. If you like books about women overcoming adversity (like Educated), this is for you. No one told me it’s a romance and if you think it’s not let me know. I fell in love with the main character, Kaia, and the twists and turns her life takes.

What I’m doing… SoulCycle! After years (literally) of not doing spin classes due to COVID, I am back. I just couldn’t do it with a mask now. Workout classes are back and better than ever in NYC. In the last weeks I’ve taken Rique and Jasmine’s classes, bot challenging and competitive classes. I’d highly recommend giving SoulCycle a try if you’ve never been or if you just haven’t been in a while. There’s energy of the classes is truly like no other workout.

Reviews #10

So much for starting March on a positive note…I’m definitely in need of a morale boost. Do you ever feel like you could cry at any moment? That’s where I’m at right now. I’m tired of this moment in time, and I’m sure some of you can agree that winter weather + COVID-19 = bleh. I’m struggling to find the motivation to do the most menial tasks like getting dressed and exercising, but I’m also struggling to get up and work my full-time job. Continuing on the honesty train, I’m not quite sure how to get out of this rut. So I’m just going to tell you all about the new stuff I’ve bought and the new restaurants I’ve tried. Disclaimer: buying things and filling your life with activities provides temporary relief but does not solve sadness. 

I recently saw a TikTok shitting on Pastis, which is sad because I went for the first time with Sebastian a couple of weeks ago and loved it. Ok, I love that in the first sentence of this paragraph I already see an opportunity for a learning lesson (!!). You can take negativity and throw a ton of positives at it and hope that it drowns out the negativity. Let’s try this exercise with Pastis. Our server was a homie and made us laugh with his genuine remarks, the menu offers something for everyone, and the outdoor seating is warm enough and so well built that you feel warm and in an intimate setting. Take that, Audrey Peters! We ordered the French onion soup, the beef tartare, and escargot to start, shared the lobster as an entree, and finished the meal off with a creme Brule. Everything was buttery, incredibly filling, and divine. I’d go back for a special occasion since it was quite expensive. 

In this same week, I went to Osteria 57 for brunch with Alex, which was also an idea courtesy of TikTok. We sat inside, which wasn’t the best idea in the end because the restaurant door ended swinging open every 2 minutes making it freezing inside. There was also a miscommunication with our order, so the food took a while. We shared a mushroom frittata, brussel sprout salad, and cacio e pepe fries. Brunch at an Italian restaurant is usually a good move because you can get the savory lunch/dinner menu items with some sweet breakfast additions. If you decide to go, sit outside and enjoy the beautiful setup they have. 

After brunch, I made the conscious decision to go into Sephora and do some retail therapy. I genuinely could not remember the last time I bought myself new makeup goodies and it was so fun. I treated myself to two Laura Mercier eye shadow sticks and the Rare Beauty liquid blush. I later went on Amazon and bought more stuff - a Stila liquid eye shadow and a highly rated mascara. The Laura Mercier sticks do the job, but they aren’t as good as the Stila liquid eye shadows. The Rare Beauty liquid blush is really awesome and definitely a worthwhile purchase. The product is VERY pigmented and will probably last me forever since you need so little to get the job done. Lastly, definitely try out the Essence mascara. It’s one of the best volumizing and long-lasting products I’ve tried. And it’s only $5!

I also took myself on a long walk around the Central Park Reservoir. This was probably the best decision I made all week - I really needed a moment to clear my head and spend time outside. If you’re living in NYC, I highly recommend doing this walk. It’s the best way to feel like you’re getting out of the city while still being right in it. Walking the Reservoir is also a way I remind myself how much I love New York and how thankful and lucky I am to call it my home.

Reviews #9

There’s nothing quite like sitting down to write on a cold and snowy winter day. Yes, I’m surprisingly still in NYC! A couple of snowstorms didn’t scare me away - mainly because indoor dining is back and better than ever. I’ve also really been enjoying the forced downtime that snow days bring. Of course, I have my low and lonely days, but for the most part, I’m learning to take advantage of the time I have with myself - especially during the weekdays. In this last week, I finally finished my first book of 2021, started listening to a new podcast, started watching a new Youtuber, and indulged in some yummy meals. If you want my Valentine's Day fit (pictured below) details, read until the end!

My first read of 2021 was Behold the Dreamers by Imbolo Mbue. The book follows the life of the Jonga family, a Cameroonian couple and their son, pursuing “the American dream” - the house in the suburbs, the 9-5 job, higher education, and of course, American citizenship. The main plot of the book focuses on the Jonga family’s experience first years living in NYC as African immigrants. Along the way, one is introduced to the many people that either complicate or enhance the Jonga’s lives. It took me a bit to finish the book because it’s quite lengthy. Yet even with its long ended descriptions and various subplots, I felt as though the book fell short. There were many major moments where I felt as though Mbue just glossed over a significant emotional response or character connection. Sometimes it would be many chapters until something of importance was actually being explored in-depth, even though there were so many mundane details. Regardless of my disagreements with the way the plot was executed, I still finished Behold the Dreamers and actually feel glad that I read it. I liked the many parallels between the Jonga’s desires and that of many South Americans I know who immigrate to the US; there is such beauty in their idealized and innocent view of America. I wouldn’t personally recommend the book but would be curious as to how someone else who’s read the book feels about it. 

In the thick of quarantine, I discovered content creator/podcaster/influencer Alexis Barber. I adore everything she puts out because they happen to align with topics that are of deep importance to me. She consistently and authentically discusses racial matters in the US and in her personal life, budgeting in her twenties, dismantling diet culture, and more. She also explains the ways in which these topics are intertwined. And if you think they don’t have overlap think again and go follow her. I have been binging her podcast this week, specifically, the episodes where she interviews her nutritionist and Freckled Foodie. I love how thoughtfully she leads her conversations because I feel like I’m listening or chatting with a friend.

Let me know if you end up following her - she’s great!

Continuing on the wave of social media, I’ve also been binging Gretchen Geraghty’s YouTube videos. Gretchen is a bubbly, twenty-something-year-old influencer living her best life with her boyfriend and adorable golden retriever puppy in Allentown, PA. I love watching her videos while I’m doing work as background noise (lol, I mean this positively!) She loves clothes, fitness, Trader Joes, and talking A LOT - all things I can really relate to. If you like watching the MacDonald sisters you’ll like Gretchen’s videos. I personally loved watching her 30 Days of SoulCycle video and her recent Trader Joes haul.

On Valentine’s Day, I went to brunch with my wonderful friend Nur. I’m so happy I convinced her to come up to Midtown because I really wanted her to try a cafe I love. It’s called Blank Slate and it’s one of the best casual, Aussie cafe options in my area. We got lucky and snagged one of the heated huts outside the cafe. The outdoor huts always provide a very intimate dining experience, but this hut was actually REALLY warm which is always a plus. We had our jackets off the entire time! Even though the indoor dining option is open for Blank Slate and for most restaurants in NYC now, I like to opt to eat outside when possible. We shared the egg and avocado sandwich and the garbanzo green salad. Both were great to share and very filling. Nur also ordered the cauliflower soup. We also both got hot drinks - I got a matcha drink and she got a latte.

For dinner on Valentine’s Day, I obviously went to dinner with my Valentine (Sebastian <3). Getting a reservation for indoor dining on Valentine’s Day was a challenge. Nonetheless, I persevered by putting myself on the Resy waitlist of every restaurant in NYC. I scored a 6:45 pm table at Fairfax in the West Village. Fairfax is a romantic, dark-lit, tavern and bar with limited seating indoors. They’re also part of the Amex x Resy yurt experience, which means they offer an exuberantly expensive outdoor dining option in a beautifully decorated canvas tent with a prix fixe menu. Sebas and I opted for the casual experience, dining at a small table and ordering a bunch of dishes to share. We had the burger, duck breast, tater tots, and fried artichokes. Everything was delicious, but the burger really stole the show. I wish we had each ordered a burger instead of splitting it.

I wore my thrifted skinny bell-bottom jeans, a knitted Top Shop top (out of stock since Top Shop is out of business), Zara loafers, my Wandler Georgia shoulder bag (my specific bag is out of stock), a Claudie Pierlot coat (found it second hand !!), and Brandy Melville scarf (purchased in Paris).

Reviews #8

Living life in New York City is not the same when it’s less than twenty degrees outside, so it’s safe to say I’ve had difficulty adjusting after spending two months in Miami. Nonetheless, I’ve managed to live some parts of my life as normally as possible. With indoor dining closed and significantly fewer people living in NYC, it can sometimes feel like a ghost town near my apartment. I frequently remind myself to leave my apartment, see people, and get some fresh air. Thankfully, I have wonderful friends who have entertained all my ideas of ways to have fun in NYC despite the cold. 

So far, I’ve done outdoor dining at Lola Taverna, Soho Diner, Citizens of Gramercy, and Rosie’s. I was the warmest and most content with the experience at Rosie’s, but the food at Lola Taverna was by far some of the best I’ve had in a while.

I cannot stress enough how necessary it is to have a reservation for dinner these days. There is basically no such thing as walk-ins anymore with restaurants operating at such limited capacities; I’ve witnessed hostess’ turn away dozens of people on separate occasions due to “being fully booked for the night”. It’s also not very enjoyable to wait outside in the cold. If you can’t get a table, your best bet is getting on the Resy waitlist of your desired restaurant and having your notifications on. That’s how I got my table at Lola Taverna! Rosie’s was also fully booked for prime dining hours, so my friend and I ended up taking a 6:45 pm reservation (note to self: sitting down for a 6:45 dinner is low key the move because it’s a) not as cold out and b) you still have the night ahead of you after your meal). 

If you get lucky enough to dine in Lola Taverna’s beautiful outdoor patio, make sure they seat you in the cool people section. I was seated in the not-so-cool section. Quite frankly, I wasn’t in the mood to start a fight at a boujee restaurants in SoHo. It just looked like the scene-y section was warmer, which is why I recommend it. We ordered the dip trio to start (spicy feta, hummus, and baba ghanoush), the brussel sprout salad, the chicken bao buns, and the steak frites. Everything we ordered was delicious and I would probably order again EXCEPT the bao buns; I just felt it was a little inauthentic to order at a “Mediterranean” restaurant. It’s obviously not that by the looks of what we ordered. 

I also took myself on a date to the Museum of Modern Art (MoMa) on Sunday afternoon. If you haven’t been since they remodeled, you absolutely must. There are so many new galleries and modern art pieces, I felt like I was in a completely new museum. I almost dropped dead when I saw they dedicated a section to Matisse’s Swimming Pools. But don’t fret, you can still find The Starry Night and Le Demoiselles d’Avignon amongst the new Rothko and Matisse pieces. I also noticed that there were many more female artists (!!) on display like Alice Neel and Audrey Flack.

A couple of MoMa COVID visiting tips - don’t forget to buy your tickets ahead of time online. They have student pricing, but NYU students can still go for free. There’s no coat check, so be prepared to carry around your jacket all day or boil from the intense central heating. Wear a comfortable mask that you don’t mind wearing for a long time. 

On the topic of fashion, don’t sell yourself short in the winter. Wear warm socks, comfortable shoes, well-lined pants, big sweaters, your best scarf/mittens/hat combo, and hit the town. It’s not the sexiest fir, but you can still look cute in the winter. Just don’t forget that you still have to be practical and intentional in your wardrobe choice.

Reviews #7

Welcome back to another review segment! I’m excited to share with you today some of the fun stuff I’ve been up to over during my last weeks in Florida. My time at home has come to an end, which means I’m finally going back to NYC for the foreseeable future. It’s always bittersweet to leave the Florida sunshine and my closest friends. I will admit that I’m weirdly excited for winter and to brave NYC during this next phase of COVID shutdowns. I’ll make sure to keep everyone posted on what there is to do in the city during this time. For now, I’ll share what I’ve been up to - all from home!

One of the things I’ll miss the most is cooking with my friends. My high school friends and I love food - we love to eat it, look at it, learn about it, and make it. Last Monday, we got together to cook dinner and watch The Bachelor. We used my friend Matthew’s coconut rice recipe. I wish we could figure out where the recipe originates from because it deserves recognition. This recipe is delicious and never fails to impress. If you’re ever tasked with bringing a rice dish to a dinner party, this is the recipe for you.

• 4 tablespoons of oil

• 1 medium onion, chopped

• 1 clove of garlic, chopped

• 1 tablespoon of freshly grated ginger

• Salt and pepper to taste

• 2 cups of basmati rice

• 1 (14 oz) can of unsweetened coconut milk

• 2.5 cups of water

• ½ cup of raw cashews or peanuts, chopped

• 1 cup of thinly sliced scallions

• ½ cup of shredded unsweetened dried coconut

1. In a medium/large pot (make sure you have a lid for this pot that fits), boil the unsweetened coconut milk and water.

2. Heat oil in a separate medium sized pan. Add the onion, garlic, ginger, salt and pepper. Sautee for 4 to 5 minutes. Make sure not to brown anything. Add the rice and cook for 2 to 3 minutes.

3. One the water is boiling and the rice is read to go, add the rice mixture to the boiling pot. Bring the pot temperature down to very low and seal with a lid. Cook the rice for 20 minutes. You can fluff the rice about half way through. You will know the rice is ready when there is little to no liquid left for the rice to absorb.

4. In the pan you were previously using, you can toast the nuts and dried coconut in a little more oil. This will take about 10 minutes.

5. Once the rice is ready, mix in the toasted nuts and coconut mixture. Top with the scallions. Enjoy!

While we’re on the topic of food, let me put you on one of the most wholesome TV specials I’ve seen in a while, Bobby and Giada in Italy. The show follows famous Food Network chef’s Bobby Flay and Giada DiLaurentis on an Italian food adventure. The pair visit Rome and Tuscany for a couple of weeks while learning the art of Italian living and cooking. To me, the show was an incredible form of video escapism; it really made me feel like I was traveling the world like I used to. Shot pre-COVID, one can’t help but feel nostalgic for what our lives were before the pandemic. My favorite scenes from the show are the ones where the chefs offer small tips on how to make your Italian food more Italian, like what kind of meats you should be using, temperatures you should be cooking at, and what dishes and wines pair well together. If you love Food Network shows, the chefs, Italian food, or travel, I guarantee you’ll love the show. You can stream the show on Discovery+, the new Discovery streaming platform that launched earlier this month. 

I also finished “The Upside of Being Down” by Jen Gotch earlier this week. I don’t remember how this book was recommended to me, but I’m glad it was. I would classify this book genre as memoir with a side of light self-help. It was very inspiring to read about the successes of a young female founder in LA struggling with her mental health. Jen Gotch covers everything from finding her passion and making a living off of it, balancing internal emotions in outward facing environments, battling perfectionism, depression, and more. I highly recommend reading the book if you’re in your 20s and struggling to find direction or purpose (hello, all of us 2020 college grads!) Some of my key takeaways from the book are as follows:

• Take responsibility for the role you play in problems

• If you’re stuck in a really bad place for 3 days, watch yourself. If you’re still not ok after a week, call a doctor or a friend.

• Trust and respect take a long time to build, and they need to be tested and survived over and over again

• There’s passion in fighting

• Pay attention to when your reactions are irrational

• Be better than great but less than perfect

• Accept the imperfections in yourself to accept those of others

• Self help is the long term pursuit of feeling better. Self care is the short term strategies to help along the way.

• Be honest about what actually makes you feel better

• Don’t pretend everything is going to be ok. Believe it!

And to end this week’s reviews on a high - here’s a picture of all my newest shoes. They all serve a different purpose, which is why I love them all equally. From left to right we have Asics running shoes (run large), Nike Blazers (fit true to size), and Zara loafers (true to size). Click the hyperlinks to purchase!

Reviews #6

Hey hey! I took this week as the opportunity to recharge and enjoy some alone time before my lovely sister, and mom get into the city tomorrow! And to make things more exciting, I ordered a giant SD card so that Natalia (my sis) and I can vlog all our adventures. I’m sure my review post will be much more interesting next week. This week, I tried a couple of new spots in the city, got some fun new purchases, worked out, and listened to some great podcast episodes. It was a pretty chill week. 

Sebastian and I ordered from a new Indian spot on Wednesday night. The restaurant is Spice Symphony, a staple restaurant for Midtown Easters that was always busy pre-COVID. They have a decent outdoor seating space, but I’m over sitting in the cold without heat lamps, with the temperature dropping a little more every night. The food arrived in excellent condition, aka it was still warm! We shared the chicken tikka masala (soft chicken in a slightly hot, creamy yellow sauce), the gobi Manchurian dry (very spicy fried cauliflower), the lamb rogan josh (lamb cubes in a buttery, red sauce), and garlic naan (garlic flatbread). The two meat dishes brought sides of rice as well. I included short descriptions of the dishes in the parenthesis to give you a better idea. I always find it a bit hard to order at traditional Indian restaurants because I don’t eat Indian food all too often. I’m hoping to become more acquainted with the cuisine because it’s genuinely one of my favorites to eat in the winter.

On Saturday morning, I went to brunch and coffee with my old co-worker, Emily. She introduced me to a new spot on 10th street between 1st and 2nd Ave called Prince Tea House. It was pretty average - the coffee was fair, and the avocado toast was cute. Nothing special and not a place I’d tell you that you HAVE to go to. I think you’re really meant to go in the afternoon for high tea and a dessert or pastry. The restaurant itself is charming, so it could be worth checking out if you want some London vibes. 

Saturday night, we went to The Ainsworth - East Village with a group of friends for drinks. It was POPPING, probably because their outdoor seating has huge TVs streaming football games all night. The crowd was very post-grad with your occasional wannabe young person. The drinks were delicious but expensive ($16 a cocktail), and the service was terrible. Go for the crowd if that’s what you’re into. 

I had said I would not shop during October, but of course, that didn’t happen. I got a couple of adorable staple pieces from Princess Polly. I’d never ordered from them and finally was influenced to do so. Literally, every influencer on Instagram has a 20% off code to use. I used Nitsan Raiter’s code NR20. Here’s what I bought and kept. I include the sizes for reference.

• Black, long sleeve bodysuit (4) - great basic for fall and winter, very flattering for bigger boobs

• Beige tank top (6) - more of a summer/fall top, will be wearing in Florida

• Leopard bodysuit (4) - cute going out staple, flattering for larger chests

• Long sleeve romper (got it in a 4 and am exchanging it for a 2) - looks like it’s from Are You Am I 

• Oversized “vintage” tee (2) - perfect off white oversized t-shirt 

As usual, I listened to “How I Built This with Guy Raz”. I listened to two interviews this week with the founders of Sweetgreen and Impossible Foods. Both were such great listens. The Sweetgreen episode focuses more on how the idea came about, the founders’ backgrounds, and how the first restaurant took off. The Impossible Foods episode focuses more on the scientific process of creating the product and the product’s mission. Guy Raz is such an engaging interviewer. I could listen to his voice all day. These are both great episodes to listen to if you’re into food!

I’m also finally on the last week of the RGE Good Sweat at Home guide. Week six of hitting the gym five days a week. My main goal with this program was to get motivated to get back in the gym. I can say with certainty that I have achieved this goal. I am so content with my new gym routine. I hope I can keep up with it! Rachael also just announced that she is launching four more weeks to the program. I will give those a go, but I need a little bit of a change before tackling the next four weeks. I like to switch up my routine pretty often, so I’m hoping to start doing a little more pilates again.

That’s all for this week. I hope you have a great Monday. See you next week :)

Reviews #5

This week, I’ve done all my classic activities. I watched new shows, started a new book, cooked, tried a new restaurant, and listened to an episode of my all-time favorite podcast. I also threw in a little tip for all my vision-impaired friends. 

The ZARA jeans of the SZN were finally worn out!

I, obviously, already binge-watched “Emily in Paris” last week. I won’t discuss the show too much because I think everyone has already watched it. If you haven’t yet, please watch Emily in Paris. I loved so many things about this show. The plotline, the characters, the romance, the lighthearted humor...it was perfecto. I didn’t realize how much I needed to watch something that tapped into my nostalgia and completely transported me to a place I love so much. The show is not an accurate representation of life in Paris, but who cares. Sometimes you just need to fantasize about a different, better time (anything pre-COVID lol). 

Sebastian got me HOOKED on “The Boys” last Thursday, and I already finished the first season. The second season just came out, so I figured it was the perfect time to start. I didn’t realize how much I would like it. If you’re into superheroes, violence, dark humor, and/or sci-fi, you will love this show. The show takes place in dystopian New York City, where superheroes are not as great as we think they are; they’re just people with excessive power. The “supes” are represented by Vought, a large multi-media corporation that designs and dictates their heroes’ lives. Behind the scenes, there’s a group of guys trying to take the corporation and its heroes down, but they have no idea what they’re getting themselves into. The show moves VERY fast, which is one of the reasons I liked it so much. Each season has eight episodes that are about an hour-long each. I would put this show at the top of my “Great Quarantine Shows”. You can stream it on Amazon Prime Video!

Even though I have season 2 of “The Boys” to watch, I’m going to make an effort to read the sequel of my favorite summer book, Majesty, by Katharine McGee. I was on the waitlist for this e-book for eight weeks, and I FINALLY got my hands on it. Of course, I’m already a couple of chapters in. So far, it has not been as exciting as the first book. I think half the charm of the series came from the fact that I’d never read anything like it. An American monarchy? That’s f*cking original! I’m skeptical of how many more plot twists this storyline can make. I’ll keep you posted on how the book unfolds.

If you’re struggling to pick a “How I Built This” episode to listen to because there are so many to choose from, listen to the one with Payal Kadakia, co-founder of ClassPass. It’s a pretty light listen compared to the other episodes. Payal discusses how ClassPass was born, how the name was picked, the many iterations the app had to go through, and how they’re coping with COVID. I do wish the episode had gone into more detail about ClassPass’s financial model and business operations. As an OG ClassPass user, it was still fun to reminisce on how the app used to work and understand why it has had so many changes. I thought I would never use ClassPass again after COVID, but I am seeing a future where I will go back to doing in-person classes. 

Random pro tip I wanted to include in here: if you wear contacts, order them online from Walgreens. They have the best prices for contact lenses I’ve seen so far because they always offer promotions. Use the code BTS3 for 25% off. I just got a 90 day supply (1 box) for $54. You don’t even have to have a copy of your prescription. They’ll call your doctor’s office for you and figure it all out. It’s truly fabulous.

If you’re looking to try some new food tings, try my homemade ramen recipe below! Or go to Gitano’s in SoHo. 

Homemade ramen recipe

• Lotus Life ramen noodles

• Vegetable broth

• Coconut milk (optional)

• Onions

• Tofu (any other main would work, make sure to cook it beforehand)

• Soy sauce

• Any variation of these vegetables (carrots, mushrooms, squash, spinach, etc.)

Fill a medium-large pot with water and bring it to a boil over high heat. While water comes to a boil, cut your vegetables into bite-sized pieced and sautee them in a separate pan. Once the water boils, add noodles and follow instructions on the package. Set aside veggies when done and sautee your protein of choice. Drain the noodles when done and save some of the noodle water. In the same medium/large pot, combine the leftover noodle water, veggie broth, a bit of soy sauce, and a bit of coconut milk. Bring back to a hot temperature and add in the sauteed vegetables and protein when warm. Lastly, add in noodles and season with garlic powder. Pour into a bowl and enjoy!

Gitano’s… what a cool spot. Located in the middle of SoHo in an open lot, this restaurant tricks you into thinking you’re in Mexico with its tropical decorations, sandy floors, and canopies. Sebastian and I went on Sunday night and had a lovely time. We sat in the lounge area, where the music was thumping, and the vibes were vibing. It is VERY dark in the lounge area, and the tables are small, so keep that in mind if you’re going for dinner. We realized a bit later that most people in the lounge area just had drinks and snacks. We ordered a drink each, the corn truffle tostada, the skirt steak, and the branzino wrapped in banana leaf. For dessert, we ordered the churros. The food was delicious but so expensive. Everything on the menu, including the appetizers and drinks, is over $20. Just beware before you go! They don’t have a menu online that shows prices.

I hope you liked this week’s post! Let me know if you want me to review anything else. 

Reviews #4

Hi friends! I almost didn’t write a blog post for this week because I’m so bad at coming up with titles for them. I thought I could keep up with the cutesy, rhyming titles, but I realize I’m a terrible rhymer and can’t come up with that many variations of ways to say the same things. You probably have already realized by now that I do the same thing every week with SLIGHT changes. Oh well, rant over. I’ll come up with a better alternative eventually. This week, I finished and started a new book, ate at a couple of fantastic NYC spots, tried a new nail salon, shopped, and got another week of the Rachael’s Good Eats workout guide done. I’m also starting to dabble a bit in manifestation, but we’ll dive into that next week.

In my last blog post, I mentioned I would share all the fall beauty and clothing items I’ve purchased recently. Since I am by no means that much of an influencer, I will not take pictures in or with everything I bought. So, I’m just going to list out the items, link them, and tell you a bit about them.

• Zara knit top - size M - got the beige, such a cute and comfy basic for fall

• Zara cream jeans - size 0 - high waisted, baggy fit, perfect for day or night fits

• Zara black dress - size S - closet staple, form-fitting and flattering

• Zara babydoll dress - size XS - great fall color but very light material, probably won’t wear in NYC fall but will wear in FL fall (can’t find the link)

• Zara ripped jeans - jeans that broke the internet, still waiting to get these in the mail

• Nasty Gal knit set - size S - SKIMS dupe, softest PJ set I’ve ever worn

• Nasty Gal gold chain necklace - looks expensive and is ridiculously cheap

• Nasty Gal satin top - size 0 - perfect for all seasons, classy, elevated, and still trendy

• Alo Yoga bra - size S - looks like a top, full coverage, medium support

• Alo Yoga biker shorts - size S - on the longer side, sporty material 

• Nike AF1s - 5.5Y - buy the kid-size to save $, these are my favorite shoes of all time

• Dior foundation - light feel and medium coverage

• Summer Fridays mask - works great as a primer, I bought the travel size

These purchases were made over the last month, so please don’t be too alarmed (although you probably should be). I wanted to wait until I’ve worn everything so I could give honest reviews!

I went to a new nail salon this week because I could book an appointment through ClassPass. Workout studios haven’t opened in many cities, so ClassPass cleverly started offering access to other amenities like cooking classes, massages, hair cuts, etc. For 20 credits, I booked a gel mani-pedi at Glosslab in the West Village. My aesthetician, Alexandra, did such a great job. She was thorough, meticulous, and also very friendly. The salon has also implemented COVID precautions by enforcing temperature checks, frequent use of hand sanitizer, and social distancing between all customers. If you have a local spot that offers excellent prices and services, I’d stick to it. But if you have ClassPass credits, I’d suggest going!

I finally finished reading American Royals this week. A couple of weeks ago, I mentioned I was reading it simultaneously as I was reading Untamed. This book is truly a guilty pleasure. I gave you guys a bit of a review on it, but I’ll recap. It’s about a fictitious world in which a monarchy runs America. Every chapter follows the life of either the soon to be queen, the princess, the princess’ best friend, or the prince’s ex-girlfriend. Each woman has a different perspective on the plot and events being unfolded, offering a fun take on every aspect of the story. They all have romantic interests, insecurities, and unique personality traits. This book is truly straight out of the Young Adults section of your school library but SO FUN to read.

I dined out at a new restaurant and one of my staple spots this week. On Monday, I went to Double Zero with my dear friend Nur. Double Zero is a delicious, Italian cuisine inspired vegan spot on 4th street and 2nd ave. We ordered and shared the chopped salad, the bolognese pasta, and the artichoke pizza. Every dish was so good, but the chopped salad is honestly my favorite incredible. It has pieces of “pastrami”, cucumber, chickpeas, and a delicious dressing, aka all my favorite salad ingredients. I’d highly recommend going. They also have heat lamps for outdoor dining!

Sebastian and I tried Lucien for the first time on Thursday night. It brought me back to our Paris days. We both started with the onion soup, which was terrific and the perfect sized appetizer. For mains, I got the shrimp cocktail, and he got the steak frites. I strategically ordered a smaller main because I knew he wouldn’t finish his meal (hehe). The outdoor seating is charming but small. The servers were also really kind and were of great help when choosing what to order. It’s a perfect date night spot.

Saturday marked the end of the second week of the Rachael’s Good Eats workout guide. If you haven’t checked out Rachael’s Instagram or her guide, do yourself a favor and do it. She is a fitness, health chef, and Instagram queen. I love recreating her recipes and taking into account her recommendations. I’m feeling stronger than ever after the week two challenge workout. I was DRIPPING sweat and am still so sore. Below are some of my post-workout looks and a picture of the paleo stuffed red peppers I made! The recipe is on her IG.

This blog post is very food heavy (lol), but I’m a foodie so bare with me. My go-to lunch lately has been a healthy grain and avocado bowl. The base is usually a variation of quinoa or rice or both. There’s always chickpeas, cucumber, avocado, and two hard-boiled eggs on top. Sometimes there’s carrots, onions, and tomatoes in there with lots of EBTB seasoning. I’d highly recommend trying this meal at home. Let me know if you do!

Love you guys. Hope you had a great Monday!

Reviews #3

The fall is here! I think. It is finally cooling down in NYC, and I couldn’t be happier about it. I love everything about fall; I love pumpkin flavored things, sweaters, the color brown, and “not a cloud in the sky” days. In preparation for the fall, I’m trying to develop a consistent gym habit, shop for new clothes, and consume lots of TV shows and books. Let me know what your favorite fall rituals are.

I’ve been loving Rachael DeVaux’s Good Sweat guide. I haven’t done a workout plan since my freshman year of college BBG days and was happy that way. I’ve always found that these guides get very repetitive and boring after a while. I also never reached the “results” I was looking for, but that’s a different problem. This six-week workout plan is perfect for an at-home life. It focuses on building strength, healthy habits, and a solid routine. I’m starting week two this week, and I’m pleased with it so far. It’s introduced me to a new way of exercising, which I didn’t think I needed, but I’m glad I’ve gotten into it. I’ll keep you guys posted with how it goes.

I also finally finished Untamed by Glennon Doyle, which I started to review last week. It was a little hard for me to finish it (this has been happening to me). It just got a little repetitive, as many self-help books get. But, she truly offers such a spiritual and self-reflective way of handling many life struggles. Even though Glennon Doyle may not have an immense perspective on life due to her selective life experience, she is such a profound person with a huge heart. I related to more than half of her struggles and felt pretty enlightened after every chapter. The biggest takeaway from this book for me was the importance of unapologetically being yourself. I’ve always struggled with being proud of who I am because I have gotten many explicit and subliminal messages that I shouldn’t be. It’s weird because I’ve never believed in haters, but their negative commentary still got me. I connected with Glennon over the idea that it’s okay not to give a fuck about people who don’t like you. I’m so over trying to be someone I’m not. 

One day during work, I was inspired to create a taco salad. I created this delicious vegan concoction with what I had in my fridge, and it hit the spot. I’ve been trying to cook a lot more vegan/vegetarian options at home because I’d eventually like not to eat meat at all. It’s hard, but I do think it’s a much more sustainable way to eat. I felt like this salad was equally as good as any meaty Mexican dish. Let me know if you’re interested in more vegan recipes.

Ingredients

• Beyond beef

• Tomatoes

• Lettuce

• Crushed tortilla chips

• Some sort of vegan cheese (I used Siete’s Spicy Nacho dip)

• Peppers

• Onions

Preparation

I started by cutting the peppers and onions into long slices and sautéing them in avocado oil on medium heat. While the veggies cooked, I cut tomatoes into small pieces and placed them with the lettuce at my dish’s bottom. Once the peppers and onions were translucent and charred, I added them to the bowl and sprinkled the tortilla chips on top. Lastly, I cooked the Beyond Beef in the same pan with all the Mexican spices (cumin, paprika, chili pepper, garlic, and black pepper). I don’t tend to cook with salt when I use Beyond Beef because it already has sodium. Once fully cooked, I transferred the beef mixture to the bowl and topped it off with the cashew cheese dollops. 

Continuing on the topic of food, Sebastian, his friend Riley, and I ate at his favorite brunch spot on Sunday morning. Root & Bone is the name of this comfort food spot, and it’s situated on 3rd and Ave B. We would wait up to an hour to eat here during normal circumstances because we aren’t brunch reservations type of people. There was no wait time for their outdoor seating area! It was a lovely surprise, but they had a bunch of tables. You can also order beer or food to go at their counter. I got scrambled eggs, bacon, and biscuits. Riley ordered the chicken & waffles, which I got a piece of, and Sebastian got the eggs & biscuits in gravy with a side of fried chicken. We feasted.

Later in the day, we all drove to the Bronx Zoo. It was my first time there, and I couldn’t recommend it more. You have to buy tickets ahead of time online for a specific time slot. We arrived at 2 pm and left at closing time. The Zoo is MASSIVE. If you want to see it all in one day, make sure to get there early. We saw a decent amount of the Zoo but missed out on two/three big attractions due to wait times. It’s also a very safe COVID-19 plan because it’s a big place with lots of space and you have to wear a mask at all times. I’d recommend going during this time of the year because of the weather. My favorite animals were the grizzly bears. 

That’s it for this week! I hope you enjoyed my week of reviews. Next week, I’ll be including a big clothing and beauty haul!

Reviews #2

Lucky for you all, I started reading TWO new books this week. Although I haven’t finished either of the books, I am already very into both of them. I also finally flew an airline that isn’t American (f*ck you American Airlines), discovered a new East Village sushi shop, and didn’t adventure outside of my favorite music genre. I’m so happy to be back in NYC!

I started reading American Royals by Katharine McGee. I am beyond pissed I didn’t finish it before my rental expired. I waited for 6 weeks to get it and now have to wait yet another 6 weeks. I’m not sure why so many adult women are reading this book considering it is like every YA book I read growing up, but I’m not mad about it. American Royals is weirdly long and weirdly entertaining. The book follows the life of the fictional royal family of the United States, the Washingtons. Characters include the soon-to-be first queen, her rebellious little sister, the sister’s plebeian best friend, an Army man, and many socialites. Think Scandal meets The Clique books. With fun plot twists, creative settings, and corny romance, this book is bound to entertain anyone that’s looking for an end of summer read. 

I decided to pick up Untamed by Glen Doyle when I could no longer read American Royals. I like to switch between book genres - self-help was next on my list. Untamed is quite different from other self-help books because the lessons are taken from Glen Doyle’s real life. In the first couple of chapters, she tackles the concept of societal cages, how to listen to your inner feelings, religion versus spirituality, and the importance of removing yourself from situations that don’t serve you. I read a review on Goodreads that criticized the book for being written from an extremely white and privileged point of view, making it not very applicable to many people. I completely see where the review is coming from because Doyle’s “big changes” stem from her inherent privilege to be able to make big changes. But I don’t think the book’s point of view distracts from the main lessons. I think I’d have to finish it to really see how much of Doyle’s privilege seeps through the book. I’d love to hear your thoughts on the book if you’ve read it or are reading it!

On Thursday, I flew to NYC on JetBlue. I really had such a great experience flying with this airline. I rarely fly JetBlue and will be doing it more often. The flight boarded exactly on time, the JetBlue team enforced social distancing during the entire boarding and deplaning process, and all middle seats were left empty. I’ve flown a couple of times during the pandemic, and this was really the only time I felt completely safe traveling. It also helped that everyone on the plane fully cooperated with the rules set in place by JetBlue. Every single person wore a mask which is shockingly a miracle. I’m so happy that I already booked a flight home for Thanksgiving and will be flying JetBlue again.

I usually place a Prime Now order for my groceries within minutes of landing back in NYC. It saves me from coming home to an empty fridge and aids my passion for home cooking. Even after years of ordering groceries, I always forget something and end up having to go out for groceries again. My method is not bulletproof. I just like minimizing the amount of bags I have to carry and spending too much time at the store. I have been LOVING cheese on my salads, so I decided to try something new and ordered Violife vegan mozzarella cheese. I’ve only used it once so far as a topping for my breakfast bowl and I actually really liked it. Warning, it tasted more like a queso blanco (salty white cheese) than mozzarella. I would recommend it if you want to minimize your dairy intake but still want a cheesy texture. It is definitely NOT the same as mozzarella cheese.

Even though I had a full fridge, I couldn’t resist an invitation to go to dinner with my sweet Sebas. Friday date nights are my weakness. I was really in the mood for sushi, so I searched on Google Maps for sushi options by his apartment. We decided on Takahachi on Ave A, which offers plenty of outdoor seating and delicious, affordable sushi. We put our names down and ordered drinks at the restaurant next door, where they were also playing live music! It was such a nice, last day of summer vibe. We ordered the tuna tartar to start and share. I ordered two sushi rolls for my main course and Sebas ordered a sushi roll and shrimp tempura.

Last but not least - music! I have been loving TikTok music. No surprise here. I’m a sucker for pop and mainstream music. “Mood” by 24kGoldn and “WAP” by Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion has been on repeat. Do yourself a favor and learn the TikTok dances to these songs. You can definitely catch me sitting on the bus, listening to these two songs, and doing the dances. I also have been listening to Jaden Smith’s new album, Cool Tape Vol. 3. My favorite song is Falling For You with Justin Bieber. Quite a predictable music week for me. 

I hope you guys like this week in review! I’d love some new music suggestions, so let me know what you’re listening to below!

Reviews #1

Welcome to my first set of reviews! In this series, I’ll be sharing some of the things I’ve recently done and been into. I hope you enjoy this week’s list.

I just finished reading…

Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri. I decided to read this book because it was readily available on Libby (if you know you know) and I needed a change in book genre. Jhumpa Lahiri is one of my favorite authors. I first fell in love with her writing many years ago when I read The Namesake; I was fascinated by her insight on immigration and integration of first generation Indian-Americans. Interpreter of Maladies grapples with the same lessons as The Namesake but on a greater scale. The book is composed of many short stories that discuss the various experiences of Indian people -- in the states, in India, romantic, familial, etc. Through trials and tribulations faced in everyday life, each character reveals their “truest” self while also divulging bits of their suppressed dreams. The protagonists create an aura of mystery around themselves by choosing to live a life that is different from they really want. Each character ultimately demonstrates how one has to take charge of his or her own life in order for it to go as wanted. Because the book is only made up of short stories, the reader only gets a glimpse into a moment of time for these characters. Every short story left me with room for interpretation and imagination, while also communicating profound messages that I could extrapolate to my real life. Indian or not, single or married, the book is bound to have an impact on its reader. 

I listened to…

“Relationships with Christina Tosi and Will Guidara” (A Bit of Optimism podcast). This episode covers great lessons in developing professional and personal relationships from the perspective of a very successful, entrepreneurial married couple. Will Guidara is the owner of Eleven Madison Park and Christina Tosi is the chef, founder, and owner of Milk Bar. A lot of what is discussed in this episode is how Guidara courted Tosi - warning, it’s pretty strange. But overall, they make solid points on how important it is to reflect on the emotions surrounding successful or failed social interactions. They discuss the feelings behind a group hang out, the importance of bringing something to the table, how to know when to let someone go, and where to invest your internal energy. 

I made and baked…

Homemade granola. I made my own recipe inspired by some I found online (check out Delish.com and Nourishedbynutrition.com for some inspo). Granola can really be made with a combination of any nuts and superfoods you have in your pantry. Feel free to substitute anything or comment if you have questions! This recipe makes a lot of granola.

• 2 cups of old fashioned oats

• 1 cup of crushed almonds

• 1 cup of crushed coconut chips

• 1 ¼ cups of salted sunflower seeds

• 2 tbsp of hemp seeds

• 2 tbsp of flax seed meal

• 3 tbsp of vanilla maple syrup

• 3 tbsp of melted coconut oil

• 3 tbsp of arrowroot starch (helps make the clusters)

• Many dashes of cinnamon

Instructions: preheat the oven to 325F. In a bowl, combine all the ingredients to form the granola mixture. Cover a baking sheet with parchment paper and place the mixture thoroughly spread out on the parchment paper. Bake for a total of 30 minutes (I mixed up the mixture while still in the oven at the 15 minute mark so the entire mixture would toast evenly). Cool the granola completely before serving so it hardens. I served it with Lavva yogurt and blueberries. Enjoy!

My favorite workout of the week was…

JABS by Gina - Combos with Shay. These girls get my vote for the best and hardest workouts of quarantine. Combos with Shay kicks my ass every time, and I’m in pretty good shape. It’s an incredible full body, shadow boxing and HIIT workout. It’s also incredibly affordable and has classes scheduled at all hours of the day. Let me know if you want to do one together!

I’m obsessed with…

Julia & Hunter Havens’ YouTube channel. I could say that watching their content is my guilty pleasure, but I’m not guilty whatsoever about it. At first, I thought the idea of watching couple YouTube channels was weird. Now, I could not recommend it more. Julia is the most stylish and relatable girl I follow on social media, and seeing her happy and coexisting with her husband Hunter on the day to day is all the more fun. They really are such a normal, hard working couple. Let me know if you watch some of their videos. I’m curious if you’ll like their videos too. 

Bye bye smallgirltings…

Hello friends,

It’s been over a year since I last shared with you all and I’m so sorry about that. I recently decided that I would like to make this website a space for me to share my opinions, suggestions, reviews, and recommendations. I don’t mean to toot my own horn, but I have always been the friend others go to for advice. And there’s nothing I love more than to share my personal experiences with others! Going forward, I will continue to write about travel. I will also write about podcasts I’m listening to, books I’m reading, trends I’m seeing, restaurants I’m trying, and more. I’m passionate about dissecting, discussing, and participating in mainstream culture. Please comment any other suggestions about topics you’d like for me to cover! I can’t wait to see what will come of this! Stay tuned for more soon.

Love,

Ale

Small girl BLOG #5

I have learned more in the first month of being 22 than I have in my lifetime. Hyperbole! But, seriously. Day after day, I have faced unanticipated hurdles. I truly think this is one of the most beautiful things of life. Constant change is amazing and also terrifying. This feels especially true in New York City, where no two days are the same; one day it’s a scorching 90 degrees and another day it pours all day. Unpredictability brings challenges and I’m into it. What better way to learn than through your own endeavors? As a lover of personal growth, I’m excited to see what the next 11 months bring. Continue reading if you’re interested in learning about what I’ve learned in the past 30 days.

1. Friends come and go, and that’s ok.

   Growing up, I had the most amazing group of friends. I’m so thankful that for fourteen years I was able to rely on the same people every single day to get me through whatever horrors arose in high school. This also conditioned me incorrectly. Most people do not come into our lives and stay for 18+ years, as my school friends have. It’s been a hard lesson learned, but I’m starting to understand why people flow in and our of our lives. People’s priorities, circumstances, feelings, opinions, values, and so on change. When friends no longer align, the relationship no longer thrives. and THIS is ok. Take it as a sign that it’s no longer meant to be. There are so many people in this world who are just waiting to be your friend!

2. You actually can love going to work.

   After a semester of working in a very depressing and unstimulating environment, I could not be more thankful to be interning where I am now and doing something I love. I love marketing, branding, and social media because I can let my creativity flow. I’ve never worked in the hospitality/transportation industry allowing me to grow my skillset. I’m also really vibing with the start-up culture. I wear sneakers, interact with people my age, work from a love chair, and get lunch catered every day. What more could I ask for.

3. I have great time management skills.

   This summer, I’m a full-time intern and a part-time student. I basically spend all day on a computer working away. But because of my time management skills, I actually feel very happy and satisfied at the end of every day. I schedule everything into my calendar - from my early morning workouts to dinner with friends. I even schedule my weekends - I try to spend more time outside and drink! When I want or need to do something, I make time for it. Doing what I love makes me feel good all around. There is nothing more satisfying to me than checking boxes off my to do list. When you plan, you get things done. Productivity is key!

4. You can love your body and not be happy with it.

   Most of my clothes no longer fits due to my four month long vacation called study abroad. I have zero regrets of anything I did while in Madrid; I lived life to the fullest and have the most and fond memories. If you would’ve asked me two years ago if I’d be okay with weight gain, the answer would’ve been absolutelyfuckingnot. Am I happy about it? No. I hate not fitting into my clothes. But I love myself enough to know that I’m doing everything in my power to return to my physical normalcy. I’m consistently exercising and maintaining a balanced diet. I’m not restricting myself of any fun and exciting adventures life throws my way. I’m living in the now. My hot bod is in the future. Love yourself at every step of the way!

5. It is possible to outgrow anxiety triggers.

   The things that used to make me anxious no longer make me anxious. That’s pretty cool. I think I brought this up in my last post, but I truly think this is possible when you push yourself our of your comfort zone. It’s amazing what our mind and physical self is capable of doing when you let go of fear and worry. I for one am very money anxious. But with a steady income and smart spending, everything usually falls into place. This usually means noooooo shopping unless I babysit…… a lot.

6. Clothing, accessories, and shoes are the absolute best thing ever.

   As a follow up to #5, I absolutely love fashion. I attribute a lot of my good mood and excited nature from summer clothing. I love to wear white, sandals, skirts, and dresses. There’s nothing better than looking in the mirror and feeling powerful. So, I highly advise putting on a cute outfit and getting dressed up when you aren’t feeling so great. Clothes doesn’t have to be the newest or most fashionable thing, just wear something you know you feel good in. Weirdly enough, gaining weight has challenged to me to play around with my clothes more because I literally have to scavenger hunt for something that fits (lol). I wouldn’t recommend this to everyone. Just where I’m at!

xx

Small girl BLOG #4

Tomorrow marks my last day in Madrid. The feeling is truly bittersweet. I’m excited to go back home and I’m sad this chapter has come to an end. To say I am grateful to have lived this experience is an understatement. Study abroad has been one of the most memorable times of my life. I always laughed at the meme “study abroad changed my life” because it seemed so silly to me that living in a different city for four months could have such an effect on a person. But it can, and it does. I didn’t think it was possible to change and grow in the ways I have. I didn’t think it was possible to uproot my life to a new city and adapt so quickly. I didn’t think time would go by so fast and I really didn’t think I’d feel so bittersweet about my departure.

I hate the unknown because it is a cause of anxiety for me. I used to get anxious about school, traveling, excessive spending, lack of time, and some other things. By developing a healthy practice around mindfulness, I’ve gotten my anxiety under control around these topics. The concept of change still makes me uneasy. I hate not knowing what the future holds, and I hate when life has too many moving parts. I am a control freak around anything that has to do with me. I was both anxious and excited before moving to Madrid, but the excitement took precedence over the anxiety; there was so much to look forward to. Once I finally established my life in Madrid, everything became routine-like. I interned, went to class, worked out, and traveled on the weekends. I was doing everything I love to do all the time. Ultimately, I think that’s why I loved living in Madrid so much. Not once did I feel like I was doing things out of obligation or pressure. Everything I did served my highest self. Now that it’s all coming to an end, I’M NERVOUS!!!!

I don’t know what my life will be like when I get back to NYC. Will I do the same things I did last semester? Will my newfound Madrid habits incorporate well into my life? Will my friendships feel the same? Will my living situation come together? So much unknown. When I really think about these things, the things that are making me anxious, I have to keep reminding myself that it is all out of my control. It’s kind of wasted energy questioning these components of my life when everything will fall into place. Eventually, I will feel the same sense of stability I did in Madrid. I always end up getting it together. I’ll just miss the life I have right now, and that’s ok.

Madrid, you have been so good to me. I didn’t think it was possible to find another home until I came here. You allowed me to meet new people, see new things, and grow my perspective of the Spanish culture. You became the city where I got to live with my cousins for the first time. You provided an opportunity to practice my native language and grow into my Latina self. You forced me to wake up, eat, and stay up later. You reminded me that there’s life outside of my New York City bubble. You made me feel better about constant change, and for that, I will be forever grateful. The time I have spent in Madrid has been priceless. I blog about these feelings because I never want to forget them.

Small girl fashion: Madrid 2019

One of the aspects I’ve loved the most about studying abroad is the exposure I’ve had to different fashion styles. The European style is so different from American style, but even Madrid style is so different from Parisian style. Every new city I’ve visited has inspired me to try new trends, mix different pieces, and grow my style more. This semester, I’ve gotten in the habit of taking pictures of my outfits in the elevator mirror of my dorm. I know this may seem strange and superficial to some of you, but it’s helped me figure out what to wear and how to wear things. It’s also a way to remember some cute and not so cute outfit combos. This blog post is dedicated to a week of small girl outfits in April. xx

Monday (4/22/19)

Wearing a hoodie from Maje, trousers from Sandro, sneakers from Alexander McQueen, and a navy blue classic Longchamp bag.

This is my post spring break, early flight back from Amsterdam outfit. I’m bloated from how much food I ate, tired, cold, and my hair is greasy. The loose pants, oversized hoodie combo, and top knot combo never fail. The trousers and sneakers are purchases I’ve made during this semester. I’m SO into the trouser trend because they fit my petite body superbly. The sneakers were an impulse buy. While they are a fantastic and classy rendition of the white sneaker, they are too expensive for just white sneakers.

Tuesday (4/23/19)

Wearing Lululemon Wunder Under leggings, a hoodie from Y7 Studio, a super thin puffer jacket from Uniqlo, my Longchamp bag, and APL sneakers.

Catch me wearing this outfit every Tuesday because Tuesday is my designated self-care day! Almost every week, I go to therapy, do homework, go to class, and then go to the gym. This outfit is the perfect cross-over between black and comfortable. I also continued to rock the top bun because I didn’t wash my hair until after the gym.

Wednesday (4/23/19)

Wearing Brandy Melville cuordoroy pants, turtle neck, and scarf, my ever so useful Longchamp bag, my favorite Claudie Pierlot wool coat, and oxford shoes I bought from a random boutique in Madrid.

This outfit, my Wednesday work outfit, features some of the most useful clothing articles I’ve purchased/received in Madrid. The Claudie Pierlot wool coat became a staple for my Madrid winter wardrobe because it added a pop of color to all my dark winter clothes. It’s also just the right length, material, and style for Madrid winters. Pea coats are big in NYC, but they are HUGE in Madrid. Everyone has one. These oxford shoes also became a staple in my work attire. When I got to Madrid, I realized I didn’t have work-appropriate shoes for the winter. All I had to do was to look at what other women were wearing as work shoes to realize these were the ones. And all those women are right! Oxfords are comfortable, versatile, and practical; all you need for work shoes.

Thursday (4/24/19)

Wearing Zara jeans, a Brandy Melville long sleeve t-shirt, a Mother’s denim jacket, my Longchamp bag, and Golden Goose high top sneakers.

This is a typical school outfit for me: sneakers, jeans, and a t-shirt. The jeans and sneakers are new abroad purchases. Although I did not need either, I love both of these items so much. Well, I did need the jeans because I no longer fit into most of the pants I bought before abroad #abroadbod. They’re really stretchy, soft, and only cost 30 euros. I have no excuse for the sneakers.

Friday (4/25/19)

Wearing thrifted jeans, a long sleeve shirt from Nordstrom, the same jacket as the day before, my Alexander McQueen sneakers, and the handy dandy Longchamp bag.

I think I wore this outfit out to dinner. Again, I’m doing the whole black with a pop of color thing. It’s actually not common here in Madrid. People tend to wear neutrals and very simple patterns. But that doesn’t really work for me or fit my vibe. I thrifted the jeans at this impressive vintage shop in Mallorca (B Vintage), and they fit me perfectly. I also love how they’re a long boot cut because I can wear them with platform shoes.

Sunday (4/26/19)

Wearing a t-shirt from Zara, Zara sunglasses, a Brandy Meville skirt, LONGCHAMP BAG, and Sandro sneakers.

It finally got hot in Madrid over the weekend. This was easily my first time showing my ankles in months. I love this skirt because it’s the thinnest piece of fabric. That can also be a con, especially in the summer. It pairs well with almost any top (long sleeve, cropped, oversized t-shirt, tube top, etc.) The sneakers are yet another one of my abroad purchases. I copied my sister with these. I justify the purchase because we got them in different colors (check her out at @natisstyle).

Hope you enjoyed this post! I’ll probably do another one soon. Please comment any suggestions, praise, or constructive criticism, and like the post if you do!

Small girl BLOG #3

I can’t believe I have officially reached the halfway point for my semester abroad.

It feels like just yesterday I was sitting in my apartment in NYC talking with my roommate about how anxious I was about this new experience. The weeks leading up to my trip to Madrid were filled with a lot of reflection, nostalgia, excitement, and nerves. I spent a lot of time looking back on the incredible life I had built in the city and looking forward to the incredible experience that was to come in a new city. I also reminisced on the personal growth I had done in just a couple of months. More specifically - I got a hold of my spending habits, learned to truly love my body, and really immersed myself in my academics. I really felt like I was ready to go abroad. Then I arrived and nothing was as I expected it to be.

Madrid is truly the perfect place to spend a semester abroad in. It’s a big city in the sense that there are plenty of museums, restaurants, parks, concerts, bars, and shopping, and it’s a small city in that you can almost get anywhere by foot and learn your way around pretty quickly. Having family that lives in Madrid and my mastery of the Spanish language definitely made my transition to life here very smooth. But of course, there are still some obstacles I am struggling to overcome/deal with. It’s safe to say that I am a control freak at times and abroad has been a major test to that.

I haven’t been able to control my spending, I haven’t been able to keep myself in shape, and I haven’t been able to really immerse in my academic experiences. These were things I worked very hard at improving while in NYC that changed due to my new situation. I think the reason I haven’t been able to “control” these factors is because they get in the way of having uninterrupted fun. Being responsible for these factors means being realistic in a daydream, which is literally what living abroad feels like. I’ve had to come to terms with my spending and accepted that I’ve saved up for many years for this time in my life. I’ve also had to come to terms with my coursework. All of the classes I’m taking are electives and therefor don’t speak to me like my past classes have. Where I’m struggling the most is in accepting the fact that my body is changing. I don’t exercise as much, I splurge on culinary experiences, and my pants are no longer fitting me. It’s been hard to accept that I’ll come back to the city in a body I’m not totally comfortable in. I learned to love myself when I physically felt amazing. Now, I have to learn to love myself even when my body doesn’t feel or look the way I want it to. The best advice I received for dealing with these changes was from my bestie who told me to just buy bigger pants. My body, just like my heart and my mind, are never actually in a perfect state. There’s always progress to be made, bumps in the road, and moments where I just have to accept where I’m at. This is one of those moments where I’m just hoping to find some comfort in the discomfort.

I hope that one day I’ll be able to say that I’ve overcome these obstacles or that I’ve learned to deal with them. I can’t wait to see what personal growth I’ll achieve in the second half of my time abroad.

Small girl BLOG #2

I got into the habit of writing and setting intentions for every month a while back. This is something I learned from my favorite Instagram girl, Lee From America (she actually writes a whole blog post on setting intentions for Vogue). Intentions are mainly concepts, beliefs, or ideas you want to incorporate in your life. They aren´t supposed to carry too much weight or cause much stress. Think of them like a chill version of resolutions or goals. They can be anything you want them to be as long as they serve you. Intentions are meant to help you become your best self because they are things you intend to do. No chores, deadlines, or meeting of bs societal standards. My intentions usually consist of advice I´ve received, quotes I´ve heard, or small changes I´d like to implement in my life. Intentions help me maintain a positive outlook on life because every day becomes a chance to grow. Hope I can inspire you to try setting intentions.

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Small girl BLOG #1

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Hola hola!

Happy hump day! I can honestly say that this week has been a grind because I’m going to PARIS Friday morning! I’m so beyond excited to explore one of the most beautiful and romantic cities in the world. This trip to Paris is the perfect light at the end of my school and work week tunnel. But the constant thinking about my trip has gotten in the way of my ability to stay completely present. It feels like there’s constantly a million things going through my mind, specifically about what I’m going to do, see, and feel 2 days from now. Seriously though, how does one NOT get excited for a trip to Paris. I am beyond grateful and thankful for the opportunity to see different cities during my time abroad. Therefore, I am bouncing off the walls about my first trip outside of Spain! Usually, I would feel quite guilty about my lack of complete presence on the day to day. Instead, I’m just accepting the fact that my headspace is split between the present moment and the weekend. This is yet another new facet of my life since moving to Madrid: I’m okay having my thoughts all over the place.

Being accepting of the mental state I find myself in is so relieving. No stress, no anxiety. No need to force myself to be completely present, as that kind of defeats the purpose of it. I’m just going to continue making the most out of every minute I have in Madrid. That’s what’s been making me feel present. The newest mantra I’ve been meditating with reminds me of the incredible opportunities that lie right in front of me: I am excited to be here, to be alive, and to have purpose.

AND OF COURSE let’s not forget the importance of self care, as that is my favorite way of existing in the now. My bestie and I always used to joke that we live every day in NYC as if it’s a self care day. That’s been a little harder for me to do in Madrid because of how much I have going on. So I’ve designated my Tuesdays as my “me time”, where I do what makes me happy in the present moment. Keep reading if you want to get a feel for what I do on a Tuesday…

xx

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Tuesday rituals

1. Meditating before I leave my room. I usually meditate right when I wake up. On lazy days, like Tuesdays, I meditate whenever I feel ready. As long as it’s before I leave my room.

2. Making breakfast is my favorite moment of my mornings in general. Been really into having yogurt with granola and peanut butter lately. Sometimes I throw some berries in there. IMO berries taste very GMO in España.

3. Factoring in extra time to walk to class. I leave in no rush and enjoy the time I spend outside. No need to go at New York speed here!

4. Spending time with my dear primas. Usually we’ll work out together in the morning and cook dinner together at night. I am so thankful for them because they’ve truly made me feel at home in Madrid.

5. Watching Netflix and reading. Lately, I have been OBSESSED with Casa del Papel and am sadly on the last episode of season 2. I’m also still reading Michelle Obama’s book Becoming. It’s in Spanish and it’s taking me a while, no judgement pls.

Views

I love spending time in the student common room. It’s the perfect spot to get my work done, has great natural light, and an amazing view.

Breakfast

Pictured: two slices of toast with avo and an omelette

Not pictured: the third slice of toast with avo that didn’t fit on the plate

OOTD

Should’ve work sneakers. I walked around too much.

Platform oxfords

Saw these all over Pinterest and decided I needed a pair

Cena

Con mi prima querida