Atlanta Content Creator Inspiring [life] style

Monday, August 31, 2015

Maldives Maxi

Sharing a little maxi love by Lulu's on the Muse today. I actually had my eye on this dress for a while before I bought it. I was like, man, that maxi is solid. But I'm a short girl and I didn't want to buy another maxi that was too long to wear with flats (or shoeless, as pictured). But I saw my girl Bethann wearing a similar one and realized that I just had to have it, especially after she told me that I could easily adjust the straps to make the length work for my height.

It's a flowy dress that's easy to get around in, especially in the Maldives. I think one might still be available. And since fall is fast approaching, this might be one of my last, true summer looks. So, what do you think? Is it the perfect maxi with the perfect location? Yeah, I think so.
On the Muse | Lulu's Maxin' Relaxin' multi print maxi dress | Lulu's Geometric Antics rhinestone necklace |
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Friday, August 28, 2015

Traveling Muse: The Maldives

Last week I shared with you a recap of my trip to India. I went to India because #thehubs had to go for work, so I tagged along. We flew from San Francisco to Abu Dhabi and then to India. We mainly stayed in Bangalore, but took a weekend trip up north to Agra and Jaipur. After leaving India, we took a few days detour to the Maldives. Round-trip flight time is more than 20 hours.

Maldives is made up of hundreds of islands, and we decided to stay on the island with the Mirihi Island Resort. The resort is the only thing on this island (in which you can walk around in about 15 minutes). It was a lovely resort with both beach and water villas, a few water activities like snorkeling and kayaking, and a lovely array of food and beverage selections. If you follow me on Snapchat, then you saw a lot of my stay there, but here are a few more pictures of Mirihi.
 // Mirihi Water Villas //
// Reef Shark //
// Mirihi Breakfast Buffet //
// Mirihi Water Sports //
// Mirihi Spa //
// Fish All Around //
// Swing Side //
// Oyster Books Reading | Giveaway Here //
// The Hubs Snorkeling With a Whale Shark //
// Mirihi Rum Tasting //
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Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Oyster Books

You guys know that I like to feature movie and book reviews here because even though I'm into fashion, I do have other fun interests. And since I spent the last couple of weeks traveling, it was definitely great to have some reading material on deck. Thank goodness for Oyster Books!
Oyster is an app that allows you to read a large variety of books on your phone, tablet or even computer. Once you get the app and select a book, you can read it instantly and offline (so no need for WiFi if you happen to be in a place with bad service).

You can choose to read books from Oyster by downloading the app -- subscribing to Oyster Unlimited for only $9.95 a month will get you access to more than a million books -- or you can simply use the app to buy a particular book without downloading the app. The Oyster app includes an unlimited component that covers one million titles, but you can also buy books independently on retail, which includes an even broader selection!
Can you imagine spending so little money for access to all your favorite titles like Life of Pi, Everything Is IlluminatedAngela's Ashes and more?

Right now on Instagram I'm giving away a one-year subscription to Oyster Unlimited for free! And since you're a fab reader of the Muse, I'm giving everyone here three months of Oyster Unlimited for only 99 cents just by clicking this link!

Read books from a variety of categories like Young Adult (Scorch Trials and Fangirl) to Poetry. They even have categories like Weird, Self-Improvement, DIY and Award Winners.

The Oyster Unlimited app certainly came in handy for me on those relaxing days sitting beach-side and on the longhaul flights too, but of course, it's great for simply keeping you company at your local coffee shop as well.

So what are you waiting for! Enter my Oyster Unlimited giveaway on Instagram and #readallsummer! And tell me what you're currently reading right now in the comments below (I'm reading The Kind Worth Killing).
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Monday, August 24, 2015

The Lady Capulet

Today marks the last day of my long vacation. I'm probably on a plane somewhere over the North Atlantic Ocean right now. Most of my traveling was spent in India, as you know by this post -- but the last few days were spent in the Maldives. If you're following along on Snapchat and Instagram then you're well aware of that as well.

These were taken at the Mirihi Island Resort on one of the numerous islands in the Maldives. Later this week I'll share more detailed shots of the resort, itself (along with a fun giveaway)! But for now, just enjoy this lovely off shoulder dress by Capulet, and find more off shoulder dress options at Shopbop!

Side story: This dress is by the brand Capulet, which is the house name for Juliet from Romeo and Juliet -- hence, the title of this post (Lady Capulet). When I was in middle school, I portrayed Lady Montague (of the house Montague for Romeo) in a play.
On the Muse: Capulet Spanish mini dress c/o Shopbop | Lulu's Desert Highness wrap sandals |
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Friday, August 21, 2015

Traveling Muse: India

A recap of my trip to India. See more photos and some videos on my Instagram and Snapchat!
// Hotel Scoping: Bangalore //
// Hump Day //
// Taj Mahal: Agra //
// Amber Fort: Jaipur //
// Elephant Rides //
// Astrological Signs //
// Indian Chaat //
// Peacocking //
// Snake Charming //
// Poolside //
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Tuesday, August 18, 2015

Very Booked

Some of you probably know that I'm currently traveling (in India at the moment -- stay up to date with me via Snapchat at ohtobeamuse), so I'm so sorry if I haven't been stopping by your blogs lately. I'll try to catch up soon, though. But I did find some time to put together this easy look that I think you all will love. Did you happen to catch this super fun I Am Very Booked mug on my Instagram? Well I also have it in shirt form -- how awesome!

A muscle tee and a pair of comfy shorts make for a totally lounge-worthy look. That's why I think you can't go wrong with the loungewear on Shopbop right now. I was able to wear this easy, breezy look in India in the middle of a warm, monsoon season. And, of course, since the Target denim line is so haute right now, I couldn't resist wearing these Bermuda shorts.
On the Muse: Target shorts (Bermuda shorts here) | I Am Very Booked tee c/o Mae B | Aldo Colyn flats | Ectu Mini Palermo bag |
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Monday, August 17, 2015

Snapchat: Stories & Secrets

Usually, I like to talk about tech accessories to spruce up the look of your phone and laptop -- and Shopbop most definitely has some amazing options in this area. But today, I'd like to focus on a particular app that's been on my mind.

Even though I'm into social media, I feel like I'm always behind when it comes to the latest apps. I remember that Instagram was out for months before I even created an account (partially due to the fact that I have an android and it was only open to iPhone users). And I just got into Snapchat about a month ago, even though people have been talking about it for more than a year already. Don't even get me started on Periscope...

But since I now feel comfortable on Snapchat, I thought I'd share a few tips about the app and why it could be fun for you to use. Find me on there as: ohtobeamuse

What is it?
Snapchat allows you to take photos and videos that you can share with the world (My Story) or with specific people. These photos/videos are called snaps and can be viewed for 10 seconds before they go away. So you can snap yourself doing something crazy and have the knowledge that after 24 hours, it will essentially self destruct and be gone for good. Although, this is the Internet so is anything really gone forever?

How to use it:
One of my biggest qualms about Snapchat is the interface. I suppose it's a bit too simple for my liking and not very user friendly. So first you download the app, create an account and add some friends. You can add them via your phone's contacts and/or search for usernames. Set your preferences, privacy settings and then start snapping.

Click the Snap ghost icon to see your name, score, who adds you, and friends. Click the bottom square on the left to view any snaps that were sent directly to you. You can click on the names on this section to send private snaps and even have private conversations with people you follow. Click the bottom square on the right (sometimes looks like three lines) to see your feed. You can view all your snaps under My Story at the top. You can also click the three dots next to My Story to see who has viewed your snaps.

You can watch the snaps of the people you follow under Recent Updates and All Stories in that same section. You can watch a friend's snaps more than once in a given 24-hour period. You can also re-watch your own snaps. You can also choose to save your snaps to your phone in the given 24-hour period by clicking on the three dots next to My Story, then clicking on the particular snap, then hitting the arrow bar icon on the bottom right. This way you can save that photo or video to your phone's memory.

Between My Story and your friends' snaps, you will see the Discover section. This features a few accounts that Snapchat thinks you might enjoy. I like to watch the video snaps by Buzzfeed (like: men try on female bathing suits) and Cosmopolitan (like: boyfriends give their girlfriends a blowout).

Why I use it:
At first, I had no idea why I was on Snapchat (still kind of feel the same way about myself and a few others, lol). But then I found the beauty in its temporary nature. It's much easier to put up a silly video of a conversation between you and a friend when you know that after 24 hours it will be deleted. It's also a lot easier to post a photo of yourself at the gym or eating dinner without the need to over edit it so it meshes with your feed. Snapchat is more real and personal in that regard. You get to see a lot of people in their "natural habitat" so to speak.

If I'm traveling, like I am now, you'll see way more in depth details of my adventures (or lack thereof) through my random videos and pictures on Snapchat as opposed to my more thought out images on Instagram.

Plus, if you want to know what I sound like (a child) or are curious about the conversations I have with #thehubs, then that's reason enough to follow me on Snapchat.

Snap Tips & Tricks:
Some of these might be a secret if you're a newbie.

Change the color of your font -- type what you want to say, then click on the T which will make your font bigger. Then scroll over the colors on the right until you find the color you want to use. Press the T again to center your text.

Change the size and angle of your font -- touch the text with two fingers and move your fingers in and out.

Add filters -- swipe the screen left or right to add filters. You can change the background color (warm tone, black and white, etc). You can also add the speed, the temperature and the time by swiping. And you can rep the city you're in by swiping as well. Sometimes Snapchat will even have special filters on certain days.

Who to follow:
-- Other bloggers: it can be fun to see what your favorite bloggers do when not playing dress up.
-- Far away friends: probably the most interactive way to keep up with your friends who don't live nearby since you can chat with them and see videos of what they're up to.
-- Certain celebrities: and for this I mean Snapchat celebrities, as some people might not be well known but they are popular on this app because they create funny, interesting and memorable content. But some actual celebs can be fun to follow as well. Like, I follow Jared Leto. He doesn't snap much,
but he's so pretty to look at, lol.

So tell me -- are you on Snapchat? What's your favorite social media app at the moment?
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Friday, August 14, 2015

Melanin & Color

Sharing a little beauty inspiration on the Muse today. I just loved what New York photographer Chandler Easley of the Cherry Collaborative came up with here. How beautiful do these women of color look on these bright back drops? I need to do one of these, right? Would you do this? And speaking of color, check out the Cool Pinks on Shopbop this week. You'll love the Tibi wide leg pants and the Superga sneakers.
Share your thoughts with me on Twitter and Facebook // And be sure to follow along with my adventures on Instagram (where I re-created this look) and Snapchat (ohtobeamuse)!

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Wednesday, August 12, 2015

What I'm Loving In August 2015

Last August I was really into Flash Tattoos, which is quite funny because I've seen them all over social media lately. Come check out what I'm loving this time around!
Now that I'm off on vacation (is it really a vacation when you work from home?), I'm visiting two hot destinations. I usually prefer the heat over the cold so I'm not complaining. I'm actually thinking about nautical attire so I look the part. And I guarantee that you'll find the best striped dresses, shorts and lightweight nautical-inspired pieces at Shopbop. I mean, how cute are those sailor's knot studs? You'll want to jump on these styles and take advantage of the last few weeks of summer before fall arrives.

So I know that not everyone is feeling the overalls look, and with good reason I'm sure, but some of them are rockin' it! I'm particularly enthusiastic when it comes to the skinny fit overalls that would look so cute with a pair of Converse sneakers or a pair of pumps, too. Am I right? This white pair by GUESS is totally calling my name!

And if you're still attending summer weddings (or you have some fall weddings on the horizon), then you're probably on the hunt for teal bridesmaid dresses (like these) or coral pumps. And when I think weddings, I also think decor. My mind is abuzz with fun stationery and thank you cards that can also double as decorative pieces for a home office. Can't get over all this cuteness courtesy of Rifle Paper Co on Shopbop!

I know -- I'm lame. I have a selfie stick. I actually just bought one of these for taking food shots, not selfies. I used to think standing up at a restaurant and telling your friends not to touch their food was weird and embarrassing. But I don't care anymore, lol. A Bluetooth selfie stick will provide the height I need for a good overhead shot. I'm sure it'll come in handy on vacation as well.

August 16 is National Rum Day. Being from the Caribbean, rum is my alcohol of choice, so I'm basically all Captain Jack Sparrow when it comes to this day. And my favorite rum drink is Kahlua and cream. Kahlua is a coffee-flavored liqueur from Mexico that contains rum, corn syrup and vanilla bean. It uses 100% Arabica beans (the good shit). To make this drink all you need is two basic ingredients: Kahlua and cream (mind = blown). You can also use Kahlua to make other fun cocktails like a mudslide, a white Russian (a Kahlua and cream plus vodka -- The Dude's favorite drink), and espresso martini, or even a B52.

So it's always a good idea to take care of your skin, but that's especially true when you travel. I can't even tell you what a 15-hour flight does to your skin. Luckily, I'm all over the Yes To brand from Target right now. Two of my favorite items are the Yes To Cucumbers soothing facial wipes and the Yes To Coconut Eczema relief spray. The wipes will keep your face moisturized (and can also remove makeup) and the spray is great for keeping dry skin at bay all over your body.

What are you loving in August?
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Monday, August 10, 2015

You Catch My Mid-drift?

A little bit of midriff ain't never hurt nobody, right? I mean, raise your hand if you're into the two piece dress style. Click the link and check out the green Devine dress by Black Halo on Shopbop -- it's perfection.

This past weekend I got up early again to take photos in my new favorite spot. Don't you love when you find a great location with a nice background and perfect lighting? (Although I did see a homeless man pee in the corner). I also watched #thehubs play tennis and caught up on some movies (Dark Places, The Gift and The Fantastic Four).

My two-piece is from Lulu's and it fits like a charm. When I got these Aldo shoes I knew that they'd be the perfect choice for this dress. And how fun is this Lilly Pulitzer clutch in gold? It's the total "night out" clutch. What do you guys think?  


On the Muse: | Splendidly Spry two-piece midi dress c/o Lulu*s | Aldo Locadi flats | Coco Straw clutch c/o Lilly Pulitzer |
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Friday, August 7, 2015

Split Draw: Southpaw

First of all, a Southpaw is a left-handed boxer who leads with the right. Utilizing the southpaw move is basically what Jake Gyllenhaal's character has to do to separate himself in a prominent boxing match.
Jake's character, Billy "The Great" Hope, is the junior middleweight boxing champion (a.k.a. Floyd Mayweather) who is impressive on offense, but lacks a great defense. One day, a great tragedy occurs, which spirals his life out of control until he hits rock bottom. Billy has to work his way back up to the top with the help of a new coach -- all while trying to re-gain the respect of his peers and his daughter.

Based on everything I just wrote, you can probably tell that the story like isn't anything earth-shattering and the plot is fairly predictable. So Southpaw is certainly not a unique boxing movie, by any means. If you're looking for something more creative, go with Million Dollar Baby. But Southpaw does have one thing on its side: Jake Gyllenhaal. He's the type of actor who completely embodies a character. He's always believable and he plays crazy quite well. You could have made this movie about croquet and Jake would still be hella intense and weird. It's what he does and it works.

Southpaw could have used a bit more creativity and, oddly enough, a bit more punch in the writing. Jake's particular brand of crazy can only do so much for a movie that clocks it at over two hours. But I do recommend that you download Eminem's Phenomenal.

Rating: ♥
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Wednesday, August 5, 2015

Transition: Falling for Flats

If you've been paying attention then you know that chic flats are currently where it's at. And now that we're in August (wow, really?) and the first official day of autumn starts in September, we might as well look into some shoes that can easily transition with our summer to fall wardrobe. Take a look at all the flats I'm falling for, from Shopbop flats and much more!

The Lace Up Flat
| Loeffler Randall Ambra lace up flats | Aldo Colyn | Topshop Kingdom Ghillie | Steve Madden Lecrew | Topshop Kaiser Ankle Tie |
The Studded Strap Flat
| Aldo Locadi | Forever 21 Faux Leather Chain |
The T-Strap Flat
| Aldo Fenilone T-Strap | Halogen Olson T-Strap |
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