March Interview With Sydnee!

Posted on March 9, 2015March 9, 2015 Posted in Monthly InterviewsTagged advice, Blog, bloggers, Fashion, Inspiration, interview, interview questions, Lifestyle, makeup, monthly, Monthly Interview, Opportunities, quotes, QWERTY blogLeave a comment

Hello My Beauties!

This interview is very late, I missed both January and February! But no worries, I will definitely be getting back into the swing of things once my schedule calms down. Anyways, please enjoy this monthly interview and I will have another post this Wednesday!

Sydnee: Hi my name is Sydnee, I’m 23 and I’m a OCT qualified teacher here in Ontario, Canada. I am a very loud and bubbly person who loves to meet people and make new friends both online and in real life. My passion for helping others is one thing that also encouraged me to start my blog, YouTube channel and go into teaching. My blog and channel began back in 2011 while I was a full-time undergrad student. It’s been a challenge keeping up with it while a student & now I’m gearing up to start my teaching career so I have a chance to focus a bit more on developing my blog as I grow as a person. 2015 is the year for me to grow my channel and my blog & see where it takes me.

1. Why did you start your blog? I started my blog as a creative outlet while in university. I needed something different to do & I had played with the idea of starting a YouTube channel as well (which I did). It gave me a place to talk about things I enjoyed and share my thoughts.

2. Who is your biggest blogging inspiration? To be honest I don’t really have someone as inspiration. There are aspects of lots of bloggers that I enjoy (Chriselle Lim/Shirley B Eniang) reading and take inspiration from but you have to be your own person and have your own fire & drive without completely emulating another blogger.

3. Other than maintaining your blog, what do you do in your spare time? I have a YouTube channel that I upload 2x a week to and I’ve started to explore fashion illustrations as another activity. Outfits based on my looks as well as fashion I see on IG/online.

4. What is one amazing thing that you’ve been able to do because of your blog? To be quite honest, not a whole lot because I was always a full time student while doing it. Now I’m out of school and transitioning into the working world (I’m a teacher) so I have a bit more time to dedicate to it. I have met some great local bloggers & there have been some events that I’ve decided to scope out in the future. I think I will always blog and I’m hoping that it will take some adventurous turns down the road.

5. Finally, what is one piece of advice you’d like to give to new bloggers? Do it because you enjoy it. Don’t do it because you think it’s going to make you money or to become “online famous”. If you aren’t feeling inspired it’s better to not force a post because you said you “have to write something”. You can’t force it, people can tell but always be yourself, no matter how quirky! Also, something I didn’t realize for a long time is if you want people to read your blog, you have to read theirs too! Leave (meaningful) comments on fellow bloggers posts & build up relationships with them. Participate in Twitter chats & follow hashtags, great way to network and learn things from others. There is no true recipe for success, it really can just come overnight for some and take longer for others. Just keep it mind while you started and always enjoy doing it. If it becomes work & you’re convincing yourself to do it, it may be time to take a break or perhaps change your focus. You always want to enjoy what you do!

Peace, Love, and Baby Ducks,

Marin XO

The Crazy Thing I Bought (And Shout Out!)

Posted on March 2, 2015March 1, 2015 Posted in Youtube VideosTagged brushes, Channel, Clothing, day, Fashion, Forever 21, Gifts, gold, Haul, Holidays, Jewelry, makeup, QWERTY blog, shopping, Shout Out, store, tools, Video, YoutubeLeave a comment

Hello My Beauties!

So I went shopping (like always), partially for the Love Yourself challenge I have taken up, but also because I like to buy things and I was bored. SO I made a ‘What I Bought/Shout Out’ video for your entertainment! Well, not just for you, for me too, but I’m sharing it with you because I love you!

Anyways, the shout out portion is to my close friend, Eleanor. We have this thing before and after Valentine’s day where we have Marin Day and Eleanor Day, and this year she gave me some really cool stuff! And to show my appreciation I made it public! Yaaaaayyyyy!

http://youtu.be/GCJ8jgCQuYM

I hope that you all enjoy and if you want to take up the Love Yourself challenge as well, join me! It’s fun, I promise.

Peace, Love, and Baby Ducks,

Marin XO

A Life Updates Video!

Posted on February 28, 2015March 1, 2015 Posted in Youtube VideosTagged ACT, blogger, Dance, Funny, Juniors, Life, Life Updates, Pointe Shoes, QWERTY blog, Random, Stress, Updates, Video, Vlogger, YoutubeLeave a comment

Hello My Beauties!

Today I’ll be dancing like crazy BUT I have made sure to leave you lovelies with a new video! It’s just a quick life updates thingy, nothing huge, but I wanted to make a video and I’ve been feeling a little stressed so naturally I wanted to tell you guys!

I hope that you guys enjoyed and tell me what you think! Have a relaxing weekend, especially you Juniors out there!

Peace, Love, and Baby Ducks,

Marin XO

Inspiration From FarFetch.com!

Posted on February 25, 2015February 25, 2015 Posted in Accessories, FashionTagged accessories, Beach, Beauty, Books, candle, Cottage, e-commerce, FarFetch.com, Fashion, High-Fashion, Inspiration, Outfit, Outfit Inspiration, patterns, phone case, post, QWERTY blog, Sponsored, sunglasses, TrousersLeave a comment

Hello My Beauties!

So today we’re going to try something different, okay? Okay.

A little while ago I was approached by farfetch.com, and after researching the company I’ve learned that since its start in 2007, it has become one of the most successful high-fashion e-commerce site around. Cool, right? They have clothing from all over the world, including Paris, New York, Milan, and more! Not only do they have some of the big-name fashion brands, they also sell clothing from boutiques that is sent right to your door!

Now, I must admit that the products are on the pricier side, no lies here. But what did you expect, it’s high-fashion! That didn’t restrict me from putting together a few pieces, some being very unexpected, from their site! I think it’s always smart to get inspiration from high-fashion trends, and that is what I’ve done for you! So, without further a due, here is my FarFetch Inspiration Look! I hope you enjoy 🙂

THE OUTFIT

I wanted this outfit to look like you were just lounging in your beach cottage, an Arnold-Palmer in your hand and the sound of the waves crashing behind you. In all honesty I just pictured myself at my family’s annual vacation spot in South Haven, Michigan, in the summer!

For this outfit I choose these pants by Cedric Charlier. I’ve been really into patterned straight-legged trousers, so these were BEYOND perfect for the look I wanted!

I then needed to find a nice, neutral, complimentary top that looked like you could just slip into it and relax, or even wear it as a coverup when necessary! Either way, this Alice and Olivia V-Neck T-Shirt fit the bill!

THE ACCESSORIES

After I put together the outfit, I wanted to find some simple accessories to go with it! That is when I found these beautiful Linda Farrow Sunglasses. I honestly can’t stop starring at them, they’re so amazing! I always support the vintage-eyewear look, and these most definitely deliver! I think they wrap up the whole vintage-beach vibe very nicely, don’t you?

I also found this very adorable Floral iPhone Case by Dolce & Gabbana, a gorgeous ‘Rosa Folia’ Candle by Diptyque, and THE perfect table book: Kelly Wearstler’s Valentino: Thirty Years of Magic as an added bonus!

Peace, Love, and Baby Ducks,

Marin XO

*Disclaimer: This post was not paid for and I was not given anything other than a great opportunity to explore an interesting company. Everything that I state in this post is of my own opinion.

My Skincare Routine!

Posted on February 22, 2015March 1, 2015 Posted in Beauty, Youtube VideosTagged acne, Cleansing wipes, combination skin, Dry Skin, Honey Wash, Moisturizer, morning, night, oily skin, QWERTY blog, routine, Simple, Skincare, spot treatment, trouble skin, Video, Youtube2 Comments

Hello My Beauties!

This is slightly overdue (sorry about that) but I want to share with you my morning, and nighttime, skincare routines! This winter my skin hasn’t been very cooperative; maybe it has been stress or just the dry weather, I don’t know.

I’d tried new products, went to my dermatologist, but none of it helped. Finally I realized my skin was so dry and oily (the WOREST pair) because I was washing my face at night. I have no clue why, I just went with it.

After having that revelation my skin cleared up dramatically! Since I started this routine my spots have cleared up and my oily/dry patches have been subdued (FINALLY!). So, here are the products that I use! Enjoy 🙂

Night Routine

1. Neutrogena Oil-Free Cleansing Wipes in Grapefruit: I love, love, love these wipes! First off, they smell amazing, secondly, they are acne fighting, thirdly, they remove makeup and cleanse at the same time! No need to wash your face with these bad boys! I get mine at Target so they are the’ Compare To’ kind but I’m sure there aren’t a lot of differences.

2. Clinique Dramatically Moisturizing Gel Lotion: This product I use both morning and night. I really like this moisturizer because it almost immediately sinks into your skin while cooling it. I’ve tried a lot of moisturizers but this one has to be my favorite! It is on the more expensive side so if you’re looking for a similar product I would just try to find any kind of gel lotion. They should have similar properties to this one.

3. The Body Shop Tea Tree Oil Spot Treatment: On to my acne. I always use this at night and very occasionally in the mornings. This is the second time buying this product and I’m not prepared to give it up! I like it because it treats only problem areas, which means you’re not going to have dry skin just because of a few pimples! It smells very strong, but it definitely worked for me! Give it some time as well, this product isn’t as strong as other acne spot treatments but within a couple of weeks you should see some improvement!

Morning Routine

1. All Natural Honey: Yes, honey. I read on a couple of sites that it helps to restore moisture as well as brighten your complexion! All I do is apply a glob of it on my damp face like a facial mask. I don’t rub it in as much as just slather it on. Then I was with warm water, and then a little bit of cold water to close up your pores (learned that from a friend!).

2. Moisturize! I then use my moisturizer again and start to get ready for the day!

Peace, Love, and Baby Ducks,

Marin XO