Tag: Fashion

I Have An Eating Disorder

Published on by Samantha Sali3 Comments

Hi, I’m Samantha and I have an eating disorder.

I grew up with a father that used food as a tool for manipulation and control. I was never overweight, yet my own father called me names regarding my weight and looks. As a healthy teenager, I joined weight watchers because I believed what he said. I restricted my calories down to an unhealthy amount, I hid food and binged when he wasn’t around to tease me, and I tried wearing baggy clothes to hide my curves. I also deleted as many pics as possible.

Continue reading “I Have An Eating Disorder” →

Advertisements

My Honest Opinion About Felix Gray Glasses

Published on by Samantha SaliLeave a comment

This post was sponsored by Felix Gray. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I’ve always hated wearing glasses. Finding the right fit is so hard, Google searching “what type of glasses look good on my face shape” is conflicting, and honestly I’ve never found them comfortable.

The last pair of glasses I got in 2016, I was prepared to wear these 24/7. I needed to wear them, I didn’t want to wear contacts, and I figured it was time to jump on the glasses trend.

My husband and I went to VisionWorks and the experience was average. The issues I had with the eye doctor is a completely different story I’ll share another time, but I went home with thin frames and paid extra for the glare protection.

They were comfy, looked decent for the price, but within a few weeks the glare coating started to peel off! They said it was a user error and I had to deal with brand new, peeling glasses that gave me awful headaches because I worked on my computer a lot. And then my 1 year old bent them.

Before I decided to look for new glasses, I had become a fan of Felix Gray glasses – wonderful reviews of computer glasses that protected your eyes from staring at screens all day. I never pursued it because they didn’t offer prescriptions until just recently.

When I started my search for new glasses, I considered checking out Warby Parker but heard they didn’t really treat influencers and bloggers very well. I started talking to Felix Gray about their frames and unique lenses, and ordered a pair of Kepler frames.

They were so cute! I love them but they were a tad too small, so I was able to do a free exchange for their largest frame, Jemison, in “Whiskey Tortoise”. The customer service was amazing and both glasses were shipped quickly. I had no problems for my first time ordering glasses online.

Here’s what the Felix Gray glasses look like…

Not only do I think these glasses look beautiful, they are so comfortable and I have not had any headaches or eye strain. I’m not sure if I’ll ever want to own another brand of glasses aside from Felix Grays.

Here, see for yourself.

What’s In My Make-Up Bag?

Published on by Samantha SaliLeave a comment

Makeup never used to be something I used in my daily life because I didn’t see the point. For one, the women around me seemed to only use makeup to hide behind a face they were self-conscious about and I didn’t want to become one of those women. I also never wanted to put in the time and effort to get my face ready for the day.

Today, I’m still mostly makeup free but as I continue in my writing career, I want to present my best self. I’m confident in my natural state, but enjoy throwing on a little something here and there.

The following are all the products that I own, some I use on special occasions and some I use religiously.

Lips

  • Manna Kadar Priming Lipgloss Stain, All of Me, $24
  • Starlooks Lipstick, Jet Set, $12
  • Rimmel London Moisture Renew, Vintage Pink (sorry guys, this is no longer available)
  • Wet n Wild MegaLast Liquid Catsuit Matte Lipstick, Pink Really Hard * Berry Recognize *Rebel Rose * Nudist Peach, $4.99
  • Starlooks Lipstick, Rawr, $12
  • Maybelline Color Sensational Matte Lipstick, Blushing Pout, $5.59
  • Starlooks Lip Pencil, Peony, $12
  • Wet n Wild Megalast Lip Color, Dollhouse Pink, $2.49
  • Katy Perry Covergirl, Pink Paws, $3.19
  • Revlon Matte, Really Red, $5
  • Starlooks Lip Pencil, Dragon Fruit, $12

Eyes

  • Starlooks Lengthening Mascara, $17
  • Chanel Les 4 Ombres Quadra Eye Shadow, Euphoria, $61
  • Wet n Wild Au Naturel Palette – Bare Necessities, $3.49
  • Color Icon Kohl Liner Pencil, $0.99
  • NYX Eyebrow Cake Powder, Dark Brown/Brown, $6
  • Starlooks Eye Liner Pencil, “Brun” “Noir“, $9
  • Maybelline Marbleized Eyeshadow, Bronze Blowout (unavailable)
  • Covergirl Lashblast Volume Mascara, $5.55
  • Sephora Eyeshadow, All That Glitters (unavailable)
  • Maybelline Expert Wear Eyeshadow, Earthly Taupe, $3.99
  • Starlooks Cream Eye Shadow, Concrete, $12

Face

  • Wet n Wild Photofocus Foundation, Shell Ivory, $5.99
  • Wet n Wild Concealer, light ivory, $3.99
  • Starlooks Powder Blush, Darling, $12
  • Wet n Wild Photo Focus Matte Face Primer, $4.99
  • Mary Kay Translucent Loose Powder, $16
  • Mary Kay bronzing powder, light-medium, $18
  • Starlooks Cream Blush, Abstract, $12
  • Starlooks Blush/Highlighter Duo, Tropic/Ritz, $12

Perfume

  • Clinique, Happy, $52
  • Thierry Mugler, Alien, $29
  • Natural Egyptian Queen of the Nile (bought locally)

Tools

  • SOHO Foundation brush (no longer available for purchase)
  • Beauty Blender, $20

My go-to items are all of the Wet N Wild products and the Starlooks Mascara & cream blush (which you can get 50% off your orders by using the code samxstarlooks)

What are the go-to beauty items you use?

My 10 Must-Have Items For Summer

Published on by Samantha Sali1 Comment

Summer is my 2nd favorite season, but it would by my #1 if it was always around 75 degrees, sunny, not humid, and zero bugs.

Which is why I need these products to make the summer bearable.

1| A good pair of sunnies. I’m currently on the lookout for a new pair, preferably a prescription set.

2| Pair of comfortable sandals (I got these from Woman Within because my feet are too big for regular store sandals).

3| A good bug spray. My go-to is Puracy. I try to avoid the ones with a bunch of chemicals and the last organic one I brought seemed to have attracted MORE bugs. You can find the bug spray here (and get 15% off if you use the code “sali18”).

4| Sunscreen. There are many choices that are pretty unhealthy for your skin. My favorite is Badger, but it’s a little pricey so on a budget I like sticking with the Equate (Walmart).

5| A large beach towel. My grandpa had this huge blue towel I loved to use when I went to visit. After he passed in March, I became the owner of that towel and I’m so excited to take it to the pool. It’s so big and fluffy.

7| Gardening tools. I just recently started gardening & my son got his own plastic tools so he can assist me.

8| Water shoes for my son. Going to the pool is fun but they have a no street shoe policy and if my feet burn on the cement, I want to protect his little feet too.

What are your must have summer items?

Celebrating Katie Schmidt

Published on by Samantha SaliLeave a comment

We are continuing the “Celebrating Phenomenal Women” series with Katie Schmidt!

What a small world – Katie was my RA in college my freshman year. She was a kind, beautiful person inside and out who had dreams of becoming a teacher. Today, she’s changing the world as a teacher, small business owner, wife, & mom. When I first launched the nomination form, I secretly hoped someone would nominate her because she’s one busy entrepreneur!

Continue reading “Celebrating Katie Schmidt” →

Celebrating Sarah Ordo

Published on by Samantha SaliLeave a comment

We are continuing the “Celebrating Phenomenal Women” series with Sarah Ordo!

I actually have been a fan of Sarah, so I wasn’t surprised when I saw she was nominated. I started following her on Instagram because of how she was building her brand (plus she always slays with perfect make-up). But why don’t I let Sarah tell you everything herself…

Continue reading “Celebrating Sarah Ordo” →

I Hate Wearing Jeans, & That’s Okay

Published on by Samantha SaliLeave a comment

Let’s time travel to the early 2000’s when I was a young girl, the days where I only went by Sam – notice the Orlando Bloom posted on my wall, the Barbies with red hair, and my wardrobe….

Jeans, graphic tees, my dad’s size 12 combat boots, black chain pants from Hot Topic, fake hoop earrings….

There was clearly a fashion crisis at hand. I hated floral print, hated “dressing up”, and was torn between how different cliques dressed. I never fit in with the cool kids & never had the funds to buy the wardrobe that came with that social status. I felt emotionally attached to the goth/emo, had grades like the nerds, & no hand-eye coordination for the athletes. Middle and high school was a crisis for searching for my identity.

I felt like I had to change who I was to fit in and I think today, most adults my age still feel that way. I formed my likes based off of what I thought would please others – like my dad, my peers, etc.

Today, I only dress for myself.

My first rule is that I am comfortable. I haven’t found a pair of jeans that are as comfy as leggings, so I don’t bother groaning over them cutting into my stomach or waist.

My second rule is that I wear what I think is cute. Skirts and dresses are my favorite – floral prints are my jam. I love sporting my comfy & worn brown leather boots but pick from an array of shoes – sandals & even high heels (though I try to stick with wedges because they are comfier and easier for my tall body to walk in).

I hate wearing bras, I hate jeans, I find it annoying to always have to use one hand to hold a purse (helloooo crossbody), bracelets always get in the way, & I get too distracted when wearing statement necklaces. I don’t feel me when I wear a face full of makeup and I absolutely hate doing my hair. I like a minimalist, natural look that won’t take me more than a few minutes to get ready for my day.

I’m happy to have embraced my personal style & though I don’t really keep up with trends, I’m happy and feel beautiful in what I wear. And that is the most important part – your confidence is what makes an outfit.