Search Results for: birthday

September 2, 2014

{Having a Moment} Finding Happiness As An Adult

Growing up, in what I would now consider a small-ish town, I had a really lucky life. Whilst I loved my life in the small town that I called home, I knew that I didn’t want to spend the rest of my life here. I don’t know why, but I just knew that staying here isn’t what I was destined to do. I was meant for bigger things. For a while, I had the dream of moving to Atlanta. I had seen many of my friends make the move, and they only had good things to say about the city. With the help of a moving company like https://www.atlantahomemovers.com/, I knew it would be easy for me to pack up my belongings and move into my own home. This got me excited. This is what I wanted to do with my life.

I really admire my friends who live on their own in rented apartments (if you’re looking for one, check https://www.rent.com/florida/miramar-apartments). Leaving your family and embarking on a journey called life could be a difficult endeavor. Even if it wasn’t Atlanta, I loved the idea of being able to move away from this small town, even though it would be quite hard for me to do so. Some good years (I peaked in 6th grade), and some bad ones (10th grade comes to mind), but I was still a very outgoing and friendly human being, so I survived. College brought some more happiness (sophomore year) and some ups & downs (senior year), and then finally graduating with the graduation gown and flying the caps. And, it all ended up with this city.

April 21, 2014

Philadelphia Mother’s Day Idea {Tea Time}

Mother’s Day has always been a tough holiday for me to shop for. While my mom is wonderful and appreciative of everything my sister and I get her, I don’t really care for those cheesy knick knacks from the card store, and I can only buy so many pairs of pretty earrings before it becomes standard.

The Rittenhouse Hotel (210 West Rittenhouse Square) reached out to me and asked if I would like to come in and experience the Mary Cassatt Tea Room. Not even knowing such a place existed in my neighborhood, I immediately said yes and knew the perfect person I should bring along: my mother.

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August 9, 2013

{Having A Moment} Finding Curvy Confidence

We interrupt your regularly scheduled Philly programming for a quick look inside the mind of me. I am having a moment right now. I have been spending the morning cleaning out my closets in anticipation of new fall goodies. I brushed my hair, put on my brightest lipstick and jumped into my favorite skinny jeans. I have been trying on literally every single item, then sorting it – sell, donate, keep. Halfway through, I pulled out a Forever21 top I purchased the winter of my senior year of college. I have worn the top, a loose, black crop top with the word LOVE across the chest, many times, each with a long, black tank top underneath. The thought of even a hint of my stomach being revealed to a passerby on the street used to make me cringe. But something has been happening to me lately. Something amazing.

Today, I tried on the LOVE top with a tank underneath. Standard. But as I looked in the mirror, I thought, this is a freaking crop top, damn it. I took off the tank top. In nothing but my crop top & skinny jeans, bright lipstick & long hair, I stared at myself in the mirror. I turned around. I posed. I loved it. Above the top of my high-rise jeans, my stomach peeked through. Is this possible? Do I look hot? Yes, it is possible. My curves, my body, I. Am. Hot. And then, I started crying. Happy, HAPPY tears. This confidence that I have found the past few months and years, has literally been . . . life changing. And I owe it to one thing: my job.

When I started my 9-5 job two years ago, I knew nothing about the industry I was getting involved in. The world of “plus size fashion,” as it is referred to, starts at a size 12. My size. The size of average woman in the United States. And yet, this entire world, which literally changed me, is so hidden. Before I started diving head first into the blogs and magazines of the plus size world, I literally had no idea women like this – confident, beautiful, and curvaceous – existed. Let alone, existed for me to be inspired by on a monthly, weekly, even daily basis. These images, images of gorgeous, curvy women, sharing the pictures they took with their Bay Area boudoir photographer to show just how stunning they are. And their stories, stories about wearing a body con dress, buying wide calf boots, their relationships, have literally helped me to start my own revolution. Hell, I bought a freaking BIKINI this year. Do you know the last time I wore a bikini? 9th grade. And here I am, 24, single, and confident as hell, and I owe it all to these AMAZING role models that I luckily get to work with every day.

So, I’ve decided to share a few of my favorite inspirational images. I want these images out there. I want another young, Philly college girl to discover this world while she still has time to enjoy her sexy, curvy, youthful body. I want her to put on a dress without tights underneath or skip the cardigan and let her bare arms out, and say, why the hell haven’t I tried this sooner? Here are some of my favorite women, looking so stylish & rocking their curves:

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Inside Allie’s World

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From the corners of the curve

Musings of a Curvy Lady

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Naturally Fashionable

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Gabifresh

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A few weekends ago, I was at Seacrets (Ocean City, MD) with about 20 of my friends for my BFF Mandy’s birthday. Each of my gorgeous, beautiful girlfriends wore a tiny bikini, and I was clearly the largest girl in our group. But as we ran around all day long, eight hours to be exact, in and out of the water, dancing and jumping to the music, enjoying each other’s company, I did not give my size, or the fact that I was in my bathing suit in front of hundreds of people, a second thought. I heard girls complaining that they “felt fat” and hated X, Y, & Z about their appearance . . . and it felt so liberating to not have a care in the world about what anyone else thought of my body. I was just happy.

Every day is not perfect. But for the most part, I am so grateful for my new-found adult confidence. If you are looking to join this high I’m on, I encourage you to check out the fabulous women above, and beyond! Trust me, seeing is believing – and you CAN be the sexy, powerful, rule breaking woman you have inside of you. Thanks for reading. xx

This post is part of the October 2013 DailyVenusDiva ‘Thrive In Your Curves’ blog carnival.

May 2, 2013

Makeovers at Sephora Philadelphia

Looking for a fun girl approved activity for the weekend? Philly’s local Sephora (1714 Chestnut Street) is the perfect place to hang with a girlfriend and get a fresh new look at the same time!

My friend Kenya & I recently stopped by Sephora for some Sunday afternoon makeovers. Sephora offers a few different options for makeup applications at their Beauty Studio (the stand in the middle of the store), each with a different minimum purchase. If you’re going on the weekend as we did, I recommend making an appointment a day or two before, either over the phone or at the store. You might also be interested in this Sephora Gift Card if you ever want to stop by and treat yourself.

We chose the Customized Makeup Application. We were each seated in chairs at the Beauty Studio and began to chat with our own Beauty Expert (the Sephora makeup artists) about what we were looking for.

After our chat, our Beauty Experts were off – hustling around the store to find products they wanted to try on us. Once they were finished selecting, it was time to get started! We went through skincare (a quick cleanse & tone), primer, foundation, concealer, powder, bronzer, blush, eyebrows, lips & of course, the eyes! As they worked their makeup magic, our Beauty Experts answered each & every question Kenya & I had. They talked over our specific problem areas & enhanced our best features – while showing us how to recreate the techniques at home.

I had asked to stay neutral on my eyes, but my Beauty Advisor tried to break me out of my shell with a deep green/blue eyeliner from Urban Decay. After telling her I had never tried orange blush before, she found me a gorgeous shade that worked super well with my skin. It was great to be taken outside the box with my makeup options.

After about an hour of being pampered & learning about makeup, we were finished!

Kenya & I were both very happy with our makeovers. I walked out with an the Urban Decay liner, Anastasia Brow Wiz (hello – I’ve never done anything to my eyebrows before!), Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer, and a new foundation brush. Some of Kenya’s items were out of stock at the store, so Sephora gave her a Free Shipping coupon for the website. I love that!

I think I will definitely be back for my foundation and concealer (and mascara, and blush, and lipgloss . . .), but I needed to spread out my purchases a little bit. Thanks to my Beauty Expert Haneefah – you were great!

Here is a little more of my finished face in the light of Anthropologie soon after.

The makeovers were a great experience. I highly recommend the service if you need a new look for an important night out (like your birthday!) or just want to learn more about the whole wide world of makeup! You can get more information about the Sephora Beauty Studio on their website.

What are some of your favorite beauty products or techniques? I’d love to hear them! xx

April 9, 2013

Insta-Month: A Look Back {March}

March was a busy month! Between birthdays, reunions and weekend trips . . . sprinkled in with some amazing opportunities, I had a full schedule, and I absolutely loved it! Check out some of the highlights . . .

#1 thing to love about March: Shamrock Shakes // The best mozzarella special at my fav Philly gem, Salento

Tara & I about to experience the #WesterosVIP event // My favorite Game of Thrones (p)imp, Tyrion Lannister

With Carling & Ashley at the Harlem Globetrotters game // There is not much better than crab fries & cheese

One of my favorite days of the year – free Rita’s water ice // And favorite day of the year Part 2 . . .

Celebrating Amy’s birthday @ Sons of Essex in NYC // My obsession with kale (topped w/ bacon) grows daily

Coming from a Philly pizza enthusiast, SliCE has my fav pizza presentation // Our pretty city from a roof deck

A normal blogging night 🙂 // Right before my big #DaringlyHigh Trapeze Lesson with Fly School Circus Arts

Some thrift store finds at my favorite shop in South Jersey // Finally got to try a burger at Rouge!

If you’re craving some more Her Philly Instagram action, follow me! Like any Instagram user, I would like as many followers as possible and I’m currently looking into the best way of achieving that. My research leads me to believe that one can always look up the best site to buy Instagram followers or keep a track of Instagram growth tools, which are a popular way of doing this. However, there are some tools that should be avoided at all costs. For instance, Socialcaptain scammed people and is a massive waste of money. On the other hand, Upleap and Nitreo have been rated highly. Decisions, decisions!

Some of these photos came from my personal account and I just really wanted to share . . . are you feeling special yet? xx

What was your favorite moment of March? (This is a judgement free zone, it’s OK if you say Rita’s or Shamrock Shakes . . . )

March 4, 2013

Insta-Month: A Look Back {February}

Most people end February by remarking on how quickly it flew by . . . however I am actually impressed with how much I got in this month! From birthdays, apartment hunting, and of course my trip to Disney World (pictures coming soon!), I felt like I made the most out of our shortest month.

Wing bowl via Her Philly Vintage finds at Wardrobe Boutique in Philadelphia via Her Philly

My office’s own version of Wing Bowl // Thrifted finds from a Philly Style Bloggers‘ event

Prabal Gurung For Target® Dressing Room via Her Philly Minnie Mouse mug via Her Philly

Inside the dressing room while shopping Prabal Gurung For Target® // Pre-vacation coffee

Navy & Gold Bangle from Per Lei Boutique in Media via Her Philly Bensalem Sushi via Her Philly

Amaaaazing prize from a twitter giveaway gifted from Per Lei Boutique // A birthday gift of sushi!

The most beautiful view while apartment shopping in Philadelphia Hummus, pita and veggies at Opa Philadelphia via Her Philly

Apartment hunting with an amazing view // Noms at my new favorite Greek restaurant, Opa

Rita's Philadelphia is Open via Her Philly

The Body Shop goodies gifted from a Trend Hungry contest // The best email I received all month!

And yes, I’ve obviously already been to Rita’s. 🙂 Hope you had a great February!

February 8, 2013

Insta-Month: A Look Back {January}

January. Was. BUSY! Between Restaurant Week, trips back to my parents’ house, friend visits and, of course, work, I’ve been swamped! February is already going wonderfully with an awesome Philly Style Blogger event (more on that later!), a Joe Flacco Super Bowl win, and packing for my upcoming trip to Disney World!

New puppy Ellie