Maybe it's the thought of springtime, maybe it's the romance of Valentine's day approximately 18 days or maybe it's the French 201 class that I am finally getting out of the way in order to complete my journalism degree. I'm not sure. But lately I'm obsessed with Paris and I'm obsessed with chic.

What is 'chic' though? Dictionary.com defines it as "elegantly and stylishly fashionable." Urbandictionary.com defines it as "classy, glamorous, without being flashy." However, I define it as everything and anything that reminds me of Paris.

However, Paris is well over 1,000 miles away and more importantly more than $1,000 dollars for an airplane ticket (economy class) so it's the little things that count in order to keep me alive. Okay maybe I'm being dramatic. But am I?

If you're in the same situation as me and in desperate, major need of a little chic-ness in your life here's the top 10 things that will make you feel faux-Parisian in no time:

1. Eat Your Macaroons. This is the most important because these are the chic-est cookie to ever exist. Blair Waldorf eats them for breakfast that's how chic they are. Unfortunately, these little beauties are a headache to make, making them hard to find and a little pricey if you are lucky enough to find them. Your best bet for the best macaroon is New York City. My personal favorite was La Maison du Macaron located in Chelsea, but Laduree is located on the Upper East Side which of course just adds an extra touch of chic. Not in NYC? Many places let your order macaroons, but be prepared to spend a pretty penny as they often need next day delivery because they must be refrigerated.

Personal note: my favorite macaroon flavors are pink champagne, coffee/mocha, pistachio, rose and vanilla.

2. Read Your Vogue. Nothing, and I repeat, nothing will make you feel more chic than reading an issue of Vogue. The best part about it is you don't even have to read it. It's mostly just a lot of pictures. Make your Vogue experience extra chic with a latte and read it in a cafe. Or your local Barnes & Noble works too.

3.  Take Your iPhone Pictures in B&W. Black and White is the ultimate chic. If you're decorating your new apartment or house black and white pictures will add a very romantic and polished touch. Chic. Not decorating your house? Try just taking some of your weekend bar photos in black and white. It's chic and everyone always seems to look good in it. Which is super chic.

4. Look At Your Designer Clothes. You don't actually have to own or wear any because let's all be real and acknowledge that we are not Sofia Vergara and the places we are going are not the Grammy's. However, getting some inspiration from designers can add an extra chic touch to an every day outfit. Hints: Sparkles are chic in moderation; silk blouses will always win; heels are super chic, but overrated' red lipstick is hands-down classy; pearls are essential; floral patterns are darling. No one ever gets pissed at a floral pattern. On Anything. Ever. Also, dressing chic makes you feel chic which is chic all around. Yay!

5. Eat Pretty Food. Eating foods that you are "proud to take a picture of" makes you feel good. This usually includes presentation on the plate or even just something kind of healthy you home-made and are proud of (aka not a frozen pizza even though those things rock.) White plates are usually the chic-est, smaller plates of foods look more chic than big ones... even if you go back for seconds, starting small will also prevent you from over-eating and putting yourself into a "food coma" which is fun but not-so-chic.

** Bonus chic points if you eat extra chic foods which include, but are not limited to: parfaits, extra cool looking salads, sushi, paninis, anything with a cup of coffee next to it, croissants, artisan pizzas, ice cream cones, or any kind of brunch food. ... But french fries work too.

6. Spray Your Fav Smell. Smelling nice is chic. Simple as that. I like to opt for light, floral scents or sometimes a simple vanilla. Your favorite scent is probably chic too. However, spraying a lot (meaning so much some one can smell you three seats down on a crowded icky nyc subway) of your scent on can very quickly make you not chic. Three sprays tops. The chicest is one on each wrist and rub a little on your neck.

7. Romance, Romance, Romance. Paris is the city of romance. And romance is chic. I'm not talking "I went to the bar he bought me a drink and we had the best sex everrrrr" romance. I'm talking red roses, dates to candlelit restaurants, long walks under the moonlight romance. Can't find that in your town? It's okay me either. These romances are best found in tv shows, movies and books and often are best in moderation. The point is, don't be afraid to fall in love. And the further point is, don't be afraid to wait for romance. Don't settle for a guy texting you a "good morning" as romance. Don't accept a quick trip to McDonald's as romance and most certainly don't accept a past 2 a.m. phone call as romance.

8. Flowers Are Essential. Flowers are beautiful every season year round. Therefore, they are chic all year round. Someone once told me "I buy flowers every week just because they make my house look nice and they make me feel good." I said, "Amen." Having flowers around can up your mood and are just plain chic. I prefer pink peonies and pink roses, but any flowers will do. Beauty is chic. Nature is chic. Flowers are cool.

9. Petite Chic. Surround yourself with little nice, chic things. Things that make you feel good, things that make you feel glamorous. They make you feel like you have a little extra confidence because you're so god damn classy and polished. Even if it's just one or two things. For me, my "chic" things are my Kate Spade black and white polkadot phone case, my pink silk pillowcase, and my new MAC lipstick in "Syrup."

10. Pardon My French.  Lastly, French words are chic. Don't be afraid to use them in everyday conversation. They sound sexy, sophisticated and smart because let's be honest, who actually knows a second language these days. Even better, learn French! The Duolingo app for iPhone is free and teaches you vocabulary, pronunciation and complete sentences through little lessons/levels. It's fun and chic. Love it.

btw I don't mean French words as in curse words, because curse words aren't chic.


Stay sexy. Stay chic. Eat some macaroons.

xoxo

Alaina

Let's all be real here, if you don't get a good night's sleep you're just not, well, you. No matter how many venti Starbucks vanilla lattes you drink and no matter how many Luna bars you eat, nothing compares to being well-rested.

I've got an obsession with mermaids. Maybe it started with The Little Mermaid herself, Ariel, or maybe it started when I ate a little too much sushi one day-  I don't know. The point is, the obsession is real and it's in full force right now.

It seems a bit odd, but much of this obsession actually began in Iceland. The water used in the shower was heated with geothermal energy as much of it came from under the volcanoes on the island. It smelled a little like sulfur, but it was worth it when I noticed that my skin and hair was noticeably more radiant after just one shower. That's when it all clicked: Nature was the key to beauty.

The Blue Lagoon Spa played a small role in this realization also as it also uses geothermal energy and is essentially just a large hot tub in a lava field. The water in this Lagoon is rich with minerals such as silica and is said to be "healing." One of the coolest parts about this oversized magic hot tub was the little wooden boxes of "silica mud mask" placed throughout the lagoon. This special white geothermal mud  deep cleanses and exfoliates while naturally strengthening skin. I can say that after this spa experience I felt rejuvenated, calm and beautiful with blemish-free skin.

While there is no Blue Lagoon within driving distance of me, it hasn't stopped me of creating a little spa of my own- Mermaid Style.

Here's what I use (and what you need!!)  if I'm feeling the need to be 'Part of That World.'


Sea Mineral Moisture Shampoo & Conditioner by Organix.  I found these miracle hair products at Wegmans, but Organix is usually sold pretty much everywhere. The bottle claims that this 'quenching' shampoo/conditioner combo hydrates hair with sea minerals, heals split ends with algae and repairs with sea kelp. Both bottles are a wee bit on the pricey side at $10.95 a bottle, but my hair felt hydrated, nourished and even a little bit shinier after just one wash. Plus, it's sulfate-free which is a lot better for your hair and makes it softer, healthier and cleaner.* Bonus: it smells like the seashore!






 A Mermaid's Kiss Sparkling Salt Body Scrub. This pink salt scrub will not only exfoliate your skin, but make you smell good! The natural plant oils and raw sugar leave your skin silky smooth and bonus- it gives a hint of a sparkly finish. This was a stocking stuffer, but a little friend of Santa told me that you can purchase this sparkle scrub at Urban Outfitters for $24.00.









And of course, what better way to end your spa day then with some delicious food? My favorite way to wrap up my mermaid spa days are with some sushi and edamame with a little bit of sea salt. However, if you're not into sushi another one of my favorite foods is a classic bagel and lox. I like mine simple on a whole grain or plain bagel with some cream cheese and smoked nova trim (which you can find in may grocery stores, including Walmart, for around $6.) Einstein's Bagels likes to serve it with red onions and capers and a local food joint in my college town likes to serve it with extra lox and extra red onions. In Iceland, they eat it like a sandwich with lettuce, tomato, and mustard which was a little different for me, but I was still into it.

So there you have it all my tips and tricks to feeling like a mermaid without actually having to go in the ocean. Or having a fin. Because if you had a fin how would you walk in your new Steve Maddens?

Xo. Namaste. Fish Kisses.

Alaina


* Read why sulfate-free is important Here

"Ima let you finish, but Angry Orchard is the best hard cider of all time." - Kanye West. Okay, Kanye didn't really say that, but I'm assuming if he ever actually had Angry Orchard instead of Grey Goose he might. I, personally, am absolutely obsessed.

Didn't mean to leave you hanging there, as I'm sure you were in total distress, but these past few months have been pretty busy. For example, I discovered  Breaking Bad on Netflix, Dirty Shirley Temples at my favorite bar and the Divergent book series. Do not worry though because I spent much of this time aligning my chakras, listening to/ watching Beyonce's new album on repeat and of course discovering a bunch of new things to share with you (cc: new MAC lipstick colors and a teatox that actually works!!!) More of that later though. I want to make this post about the things I learned during my last fall semester of college. Hopefully you will take some notes, learn some lessons and most importantly not repeat my mistakes. R.I.P 2013 #blessed.

Here's my top 10 lessons from the last few months of 2013:

1. 35-Cent shots are NOT your friend. They seem nice, like a boy who texts you "just cause he was thinking about you," but the truth is, they always take a dark and twisted turn and leave you confused, lonely and cuddling a cat under one arm and a large 3-topping pizza under the other. To sum it up: Just. Don't.

1a. LIQUOR BEFORE BEER YOU'RE IN THE CLEAR, BEER BEFORE LIQUOR WILL MAKE YOU SICKER. AMEN.

2. Law classes aren't what Elle Woods made them out to be. They aren't fun. No one wears pink. The tests are hard. The teacher isn't hot. You'll probably cry everyday. You won't learn anything valuable in your actual career field, but you'll learn about habeas corpus which might help you out somewhere down the line.

3.  I am not Beyonce. I shall not twerk at the bar, at house parties or in the bedroom because I am not "Bootylicious" or "Fierce." Direct quotes from my friends and boyfriend. Yay criticism.

4. Just because baby orchids exist and are on sale for 10 dollars does not mean you should buy one. Orchids are harder than a newborn child. 1/2 a teaspoon frozen into an ice cube form and also keep near a window, but not in direct sunlight, but make sure there's no draft, but make sure it's above 70 degrees, but make sure it's not 71 degrees, but make sure it's not 69 degrees. Mine lasted three days.

5. Jennifer Lawrence is God. If she tweeted, her Twitter feed would be a Bible. This girl rocks, she's hot, she loves to eat, takes a shot before the red carpet and she's a badass with a bow and arrow. Plus she looks good blonde or brunette which as we all know is not an easy task. Basically, we're best friends, she just doesn't know it yet.

6. Only ordering Chinese food once a week is still not "budgeting your money" or healthy. But it's an addiction so I really don't know what to do about this. Looking for a friend. Or rehab. Life is in shambles.

7. Lingerie is fun! Just make sure you lock your door or your best friends will come in trying to get you to come to a Chinese food buffet with them and they'll get a surprise that they can't give back. And then it's weird. And then you have to eat Chinese food and avoid eye contact for an hour with them because, it's like, a buffet. Personal note- sorry about that, guys.

8. Grocery stores are full of treasures! This month's favorites include: Siggi's Icelandic-Style Yogurt, Friendly's Sundae Cups (all of them), Fresh Pico de Gallo and Guacamole Samples! YAY!

9. Don't ever, ever, ever feel bad about spending money on books. Reading is the coolest and most magical thing in the entire world. Whether it's a journey of war like in Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins or a compassionate story of a sad Mormon girl in Nevada like in Burned by Ellen Hopkins, books have this unbelievable power to build a fire in your imagination and a serenity in your soul. So whether it's a hardcover horror novel, a paperback passion story or even a digital download that is a portal to a fictional post-apocolypse world- Buy it. Read it. Savor it. Share it.

Lastly,

10. If you're not of Asian decent, do not attempt Asian foods. Failed cheese wontons. Failed Pho. Failed life. Leave it to the professionals. Lesson Learned.

I guess that's pretty much it because I'm cold and kind of hungry so here's an inspirational quote (aka tweet) to let you rest easy:

"FACTS: candy = good, blankets are dope, pajamas have a cool vibe, hugging is $$$." - Aidy Bryant of Saturday Night Live.

Namaste. Xo. Missed you.

Alaina