warmth in winter

Polar vortex is forcing us to stay warm via coffee. As if we needed any more excuses to drink more coffee.

 

 

 

yes, we drink tea too

Featuring Anthropologie, Ikea, Ralph Lauren

berry olive

 

midi dress + burgundy coat: h&m | shoes: charlotte

cape

cape, cardigan: forever 21 | blouse: h&m | leather leggings: charlotte | boots: jcpenny

My 10 Holy Grail Beauty Products

For the past few months, I've been using some new products and they have been doing wonders for me. If you are on the hunt to try something different, here's a list of products you can add to your list. I'm basically giving you an excuse to do more shopping, so you're welcome.

1. Formula 10.0.6 Pores Be Pure Skin-Clarifying Mud Mask

Using this mask about once or twice a week has really made a difference for my skin (I think, it could just be my mind). It's a light mask with a pleasant smell that isn't too strong, and it leaves you skin feeling super fresh.

2. Lush Tea Tree Toner Water

I like to spray this on my face before putting anything on it. It freshens up the skin and leaves a nice finish. I also love using this stuff as a setting spray. Does wonders.

3. Lush 'Sweet Lips' Lip Scrub

Who doesn't suffer from chapped lips, especially in colder weather? Do yourself a favor and get this scrub.

4. Maybelline Fit Me Concealer

The most blendable drugstore concealer I've come across so far. I love using it to highlight as well.

5. Vaseline Lip Therapy in Cocoa Butter

This paired with the lip scrub has a magical effect. Hello, smooth lips.

6. Zoya Pixie Dust Nail Polish in 'Godiva'

I'm obsessed with nude nails so when I came across with glitter nude, I couldn't say no. It leaves an absolutely beautiful finish that's matte with a hint of sparkle. It's just perfection.

7. Maybelline Color Tattoo in 'Bad to the Bronze'

I wear this everyday. It adds depth to the eye and stays on all day with no creasing. I also use it as a base for more dramatic eye looks. Another favorite color in this line is "Tough as Taupe."

8. Maybelline The Rocket Mascara

I have a love affair with this mascara and I refuse to wear anything else. One time, someone asked if I was wearing fake lashes when I was only wearing this mascara and I felt really cool.

9. Milani Baked Blush in 'Red Vino'

This is a super pigmented, red blush. It's super feminine. Be very light-handed when using it.

10. Loreal True Match Foundation

This foundation blends so well and makes the skin look so healthy. I love the glow it gives off.

Happy shopping,
Hera

weekend outfits

This weekend was pretty eventful for us. Lots of hanging out and BBQing to end the last few days of summer. Here's a little peek at what we wore:

Follow us on Instagram for more outfit updates!
@nazday
@heraashh

Trayvon Martin, Not Guilty

Trayvon Martin was killed because he was racially profiled.

And to deny that statement is like claiming slave owners didn't care about skin color. 

However, this case is different than most others because it points out that racial profiling against African Americans is not only committed by "white" people.

George Zimmerman is a "mixed-race" Hispanic (I don't think Fox News realizes this yet). Some news organizations term him as a "white Hispanic." Well, does this make President Obama a "white black?" Someone explain to me how this works.

Stereotypes against blacks in our communities exist. It's safe to say that we all, at least once in our lifetime, locked our car doors when we passed through "the bad part of town" or stopped at a traffic light by a black homeless man on the side of the road. 

We boast of our country's first black president and celebrate Martin Luther King Jr.'s Day, but we become skeptical when our kids make black friends. 

For a moment, forget about all the media speculations and political implications of the case. For a moment, let's just focus on the 17-year-old who did absolutely nothing to deserve death.

George Zimmerman is guilty. We are guilty.




Hera

the PERFECT nude nail color

So lately I've been OBSESSED with this nude nail polish so I thought I'd share. It's Revlon's ColorStay nail polish in "Bare Bones" (300). 

Literally, so fab. I cannot get enough of it. This photo doesn't do justice.

Hera

Follow on Instagram:

@heraashh

@nazday

Passing Judgments is the Easy Way Out

Hey everyone,

Make sure to check out my most recent column on Brown Girl Magazine here. Thought it was really relevant with recent events. Please read, share, and give me some feedback on what you think! I truly appreciate it.

Don't forget to like Brown Girl Magazine on Facebook and Twitter (@BrownGirlMag)

Smiles,

Hera

DIY: Necklace Board

This is so easy, it really shouldn't be considered a "DIY." It's more of an idea for what to do with all your necklaces, especially those statement ones! Storing necklaces can be kinda annoying. The chains always get tangled, and sometimes pieces would fall off my statement necklaces because they'd get caught on something. 

So one day, while I was organizing my life, I decided to make better use of the cork board hanging on my wall. I arranged tacks on the cork board and just laid my necklaces over the tacks. And that's basically all there's to it. Not only do you have easy access to your necklaces, but they also won't get tangled with each other and it looks super cool on the wall. I also added a couple brand tags to give it some personality, ya knooow.

I don't have many necklaces so a small corkboard did the job.

Naz on the other hand....

Give it a try!

Hera

not your ordinary fruit kabobs

So I saw this idea floating around on Pinterest and decided to give it a try. It turned out wonderfully! I mean, fruits and chocolate Swiss rolls together on a skewer, what more could one want?

I couldn't keep this refreshing treat to myself so here's how you can enjoy it too.

What you'll need:

Fruits, Bamboo skewers, and Swiss Rolls

Stick the chocolate Swiss rolls in the freezer the night before for more yummy "kabobs." Slice up fruit of your choice and the cake. I used just pineapples and strawberries because that's all I had at the moment, but you can get cray with the fruit.

Add the fruit to the skewers and put in the freezer for another couple hours (this step is option but highly recommended). And voila!

I get to eat endless Swiss rolls without feeling too guilty ^.^

Happy noms,

Hera

Current Favorites!

Over the past few months, we have been obsessing over a few products and we thought we'd share some of our favorite "things" so you can obsess with us. Most of these products are beauty-related, but there are a couple of randoms that we couldn't hold back :)

1. BB Cream

BB cream used to be only available through high-end brands, but recently, "drugstore brands" have released their own! The market is extremely popular right now with so many options, so you have to shop around for what you think will work best for your skin. Whether you decide to splurge with a high-end brand or play it safe with a drugstore brand, BB cream will become an everyday essential. It basically does everything you'd want a face product to do to make you feel absolutely fabulous! We personally recommend Revlon PhotoReady BB Cream, but we haven't had the opportunity to try a wide variety, so research before you go to buy.

2. Milani Baked Blush

Words cannot express how beautiful these blushes are. They are exactly like high-end branded blushes without the hefty price. The color pay off is wonderful and it doubles as a highlighter without being glittery. It glides onto the skin and gives off a healthy, natural glow. Definitely a must-have!

3. Organic Face Rosewater Toner by Boots

Stumbled upon this at Target and it is basically a party for your face. This toner hydrates, wakes up, and refreshes your skin. It has a lovely faint scent of roses. You will always try to find an excuse to be able to apply thisto your skin because it simply feels amazing.

4. Voulspa Candles

There is nothing in this world that smells as wonderful as Voulspa Candles. Nothing. 

Did we mention they come in ridiculously cute tins? <3

5. Printed Pouches

This may seem odd, but there's something about elephants and umbrellas printed on a zipper pouch we can't explain. If you're going to stay organized, might as well stay organized in a cute manner, right? If we didn't have our pouches imprinted with bicycles and poodles, where would our lipsticks go?

xo,

Hera and Naz

Attire Tautology: Bulky Scarf

attire tautology /əˈtaɪə tô-t l -j/ n. the study of a article of clothing in different fashion senses

We found these great bulky scarves from Zara and just couldn't resist. These scarves will redefine your definition of bulk. They make a great statement piece!

Look 1 - 

Look 2 - 

 

Tragedy strikes on innocent children.

We would like to give our condolences to the parents who lost their innocent children and the community of Newton. School should be a safe haven for children and we should never have to be worried about whether or not our children will return from school.

We encourage everyone to keep the families of the innocent children and adults killed in the elementary school in your prayers and thoughts. And also, do not forget those children in other parts of the world, such as Syria, Gaza and Burma, who are in suffering and being murdered by tyrants everyday. 

We hope that this is a wake up call for our country to take charge and make some important changes. The line must be drawn.

To learn more about the tragedy in Newton, read this article.

To read our views on gun law changes, read this blog post.

Hera and Naz

mustard lovin.

Fall-ify your summer skirts with mustard cardigans. Who can say no to a little mustard in their life? And to warm up this look for the winter, throw on some opaque tights or leggings with cute booties.

Mustard cardigan - Forever 21

Navy skirt - Forever 21

Movie Review: Jab Tak Hai Jaan

Jab Tak Hai Jaan has everything one would expect a Yash Raj film to have: Shahrukh Khan, a gorgeous heroine, a dramatic climax, beautiful songs, and a happy ending. However, the romance, the biggest part of any Yash Raj film, was missing. Allow me to explain.

This film starred Shahrukh Khan, Katrina Kaif, and Anushka Sharma. The film was essentially a love story between Khan and Kaif. Yash Chopra did a fantastic job in direction and portraying the story. However, the flaw was in the writing and story. Aditya Chopra, who’s been known to direct many classic Yash Raj films, such as Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi, wrote the story of Jab Tak Hai Jaan. Expecting a classic storyline, I was left very disappointed.

To read the rest of this review, visit Brown Girl Magazine.

glitter

The key to the perfect pair of sparkly pants is subtleness. These pair of pants have just the right amount of gold sparkle. The neutral color makes them easy to wear during day or night. Throw on a leopard print scarf, a lacy cardigan and a great handbag, and you're ready to shine bright like a diamond (lame Rihanna reference).

 

Gold, glitter pants - Allen B

Shout out to my brother

My brother recently started blogging for a class and he's been begging me all week for a shout out. Here you go, Zaid. Now leave me alone. :)

Show him some love!

www.theenglishprojectsaeed.blogspot.com

Hera

peter pan

Occasionally, I like to take advantage of my pretty roommate and use her as a model. Alyssa likes to keep things simplistic, but classy. Here's a great example of how you can make a simple concept, such as jeans and a tee, and dress it up. Take advantage of the peter pan collar trend! They add a little class to what would otherwise be a simple top.

 

Top - Forever 21

Skinnies - Forever 21

Heels - Charlotte Russe

The Cappuccino Series: Episode 2

After a week of craziness, we finally found the time to go on another hunt to find the perfect cappuccino.

This time we visited Hubbard & Cravens Coffee and Tea in Carmel. This place was located in the cutest, prettiest area of Carmel (which is basically like all of Carmel....kidding not kidding). And the inside was even prettier. We loved the environment and feel of this place! It was so well decorated and set up. It was very contemporary, but very rustic at the same time. They had these cool, see-through plastic chairs with wooden tables that looked like just a giant slab of wood. Basically, the atmosphere was amazing and if I could, I would live there.

Carmel swag. Source: Naz's Instagram (@nazday)

See, I wasn't lying. Source: My Instagram (@heraspeaking)

Now let's talk about their coffee, because that's what this post is supposed to be about. I ordered their cappuccino (duh). It came in a nice little mug, which sat on a little saucer, and the best part, they even gave me a spoon. I feel like I used too many commas in that sentence; oh well. The cappuccino was delicious! It was extremely creamy with just the right amount of coffee and steamed milk. I love the froth in cappuccinos and lattes. Scooping the froth up with my spoon was too satisfying. Probably one of my top favorite cappuccinos of all time.

<3

Looking at these photos are making me crave it again.

Naz got the espresso here. From what she told me, it was fantastic; the perfect size for such a strong drink. And it came in a little cute red cup and saucer, so it was almost impossible to not love.

HOW CUTE IS THIS?

All in all, we were thoroughly impressed and satisfied with Hubbard & Cravens. Definitely a great place for all coffee lovers to visit. And they also carry tea, so tea lovers should also check it out. 

Peace, homies.