Smile, Breathe and Be Happy.

Just keep Smiling…

Busy (hectic/chaotic) days can easily turn your mood around. I like to think of myself as positive, bubbly and overall happy individual. But today was a day when I found myself thinking “I hate this”, “this is complicated”, “this is so annoying”, “everything is bad and everything is wrong”. I heard myself, and I realized this is not the kind of mentality I want to have. Hate is a strong word, and it sucks precious energy from the mind and body. I know how to make things simple and enjoyable. Things are not bad or wrong; things and situations are whatever I want them to be.  I had to sit back and remind myself to smile, breathe and be happy. 

 

One of the very first things I remember my mom telling me was “your brother doesn’t make you mad, you choose to get mad by his actions and words”. And I as grew the words adapted to capture any negative situation I felt the world threw at me. I learned that people don’t annoy you, they can’t hurt you, and they can’t make you mad, neither can things or situations. I, and only I decide how I choose to take them, I chose to what degree I let them affect me. Today I had to remind myself of that, I had to remind myself to change the way I viewed things. I had to remind myself to smile, to feel happy and to find the joy of doing things, anything. 

For anyone out there that feels like things are “bad” or “wrong”, eliminate all those negative thoughts and think happy thought. Puppies, ice cream, shoes, the beach, think of anything that makes you smile and smile. Smile and let the positive energy fill you inside. Feel the weight lift of your mind and you body. Happiness is not something that happens to us, we make it happen!

Xoxo,

Karina

(Images from weheartit.com)

Places to See...

I love being a tourist in my own city (gorgeous and sunny San Diego). This past weekend we had family from out of town and we showed them some of our favorite places.

The view from Mt. Soledad is AMAZING!! Sometimes with work and the everyday things I forget that we have such great places to come and enjoy.

The San Diego Bay is one of my absolute favorite places to visit. It's really captures the whole essence of the city: green, bright-blue skies, and lots of sunshine. There is so much to see here...

Meet the "Unconditional Surrender." This 25 ft. statue of a kissing couple is from the famous picture taken by Alfred Eisenstaedt in 1945 at a Times Square. This is located next to the USS Midway in downtown San Diego.

This upcoming weekend we'll be going to the San Diego Zoo (yeay!!). More pictures to follow.

Xoxo,
-K

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He's name is Merlyn, and he doesn't like the rain

This Spring started with a storm and it's still going, but I must admit I am loving it!

However, there is a little someone in my life who is not loving this weather as much as I am .

This furry, little 8lb Chihuahua mix is the king of the house (seriously, would you be able to resist these eyes). His name is Merlyn and he is 9 years old. He came to my life when he was only 3 months old and he has been the center of this household ever since. This handsome fella enjoys long leashless walks in the parks, 2-3 naps a day, 3 grilled steak meals a day, and he LOVES tortillas. But I must tell you, this is one high-maintenance canine: he dislikes big chunks of food, will not lay down on the floor, and if he is to lay down in the couch he needs his special blanket. He sleeps in the bed - inside the covers!. His favorite cologne is Carolina Herrera for Men and he has over 30 different outfits, including a boomer, fur jacket.

Many people think that we go over board with pampering our pet, but for my family and I Merlyn is not a pet, he is a family member. When Merlyn wakes up, the first thing he does is come and see you waving his tail. When you come into the house the house, he is the first one at the door greeting you with happiness - barking, jumping, and crying because your are finally back. When you are sick he comes by your side and lays next to you. When you are sad, he comes tries to heal you with his love. And on days when I am up working late he will not go to bed, instead he will sit in the couch next to me until I am done. 

It's amazing how this little guy can bring so much happiness. I love you Merlyn, this one is for you.

Xoxo,
Karina

Lunch Break

I find it hard to take a lunch break while at work...well because I have things to do and because I constantly snack at my desk so I really do not need to go get food. But every once in a while, the mind does need a little break. So I turn to my sources of inspiration: beauty and fashion

Today my lunch companion is none other Harper's Bazaar Fashion. This precious little golden book (and literally once you read it you will see why it's worth gold) was a present from someone I look up to.
Browsing through its pages I see infinite possibilities of what I can wear, the look I can achieve, the new things I can try and the different images I can portray. As one of my icons (the one and only Victoria Beckham) always says "I am a chameleon", my style shifts according to my mood and my goals. However, I am consistent with myself on the elements that work for me (just because it works for Kate Moss it doesn't mean it will work on everyone). Know what works for you, and know how to work it!

Xoxo,

-K

Karina 101

The concept of beauty has always fascinated me. When I was young, it allured me because of the visual appeal. As time went by, its meaning has changed but its importance only gets greater. I work at a company that services the beauty industry. Every day I talk about makeup, hair, celebrity looks, and beauty products. Part of my job actually requires me to go to the makeup counter and get my makeup done (for research - wink). However, the more I learn about the industry, the more I realize that beauty is more than just the visual.

I love clothes- dresses and skirts are my favorite. I feel feminine, delicate and powerful when I wear a dress. A pencil skirt below the knee is professional and sophisticated. An A-line skirt or dress is chic and classic. A mini skirt is rebellious and sexy. So many traits of my personality can be expressed by the right skirt.

I. LOVE. SHOES. Every pair of shoes I own is special. Each one of them was particularly chosen by its unique design. As I've grown older my appreciation for them has also grown. I wear heels. Flats are for fire drills (even then I refuse to wear them). Running shoes are for the gym and nothing else. A heel is for everyday and every moment. A platform-patent letter- 5" black heel is perfect for the office. They say “look at me, I mean business.” They are conservative in its closed toe, but the polish of the patent leather commands attention. The fine outline of the actual heel, combined with its length allows one to stand with authority (because I would love to see any business man in this office successfully walk one step in them). With these shoes you have conquered the challenge of gravity, and you have mastered the art of walking with style. A peep-toe is great for a Saturday morning brunch with the girls. A wedge is the shoe for a day with the boyfriend, relaxed but stylish. Studded platform sandals are sexy for a night out in the town. Must I say more about my love for shoes?

I love makeup. I admire the many women who spend a great part of their time writing about makeup (it is not as easy as it looks). I believe makeup was created to bring out your best features, not to hide them. Your mood and your personality are described by the makeup colors you wear. When I wear a red lipstick I feel fearless, powerful, loud, and important. I know I am commanding attention, but I feel confident to handle it. Sometimes I'll choose a rosy-pink lipgloss to show my sensitive and soft side. Every once in a while I'll wear my Barbie-pink lipstick...it's my runway moment. Eyeshadow is the same - you can brighten your eyes to make them look more awake or do a smoky eye to show off your sexy side.

My clothes, my shoes, my makeup, and my hair portray who I am and what I feel. I am confident, I am adventurous, I am chic, I like structure, I am very detail oriented, and O love things that are beautiful. I started this blog because I want to share my style with others. I discovered that by embracing my own style - no matter what others think or how they feel about it- frees me from any constraints to happiness….because in life if you are not happy you are not truly living.

Xoxo

- K