Author: Brandy Saldana

Evian Mineral Water Facial Spray Review

Posted on by Brandy Saldana

When it comes to my daily fitness routine, we can pretty much say it is non-existent. I walk back and forth to work everyday, and bike on occasion, so it I am not completely inactive. My all-time favorite exercise is swimming, and the biggest reason for that, besides it being a great workout, is because I am not a fan of sweat. I like stepping out of the pool and feeling refreshed and it gives me more satisfaction than any other workout.
Unfortunately, going swimming all the time is pretty hard for me to do, particularly due to the hair maintenance.  I have enjoyed dance workouts, like Zumba and Barre classes, and have liked yoga classes. I’ve struggled finding a routine I enjoy as much as swimming, but also something that doesn’t leave me feeling like a hot mess.

That’s where Evian Facial Spray comes in. I received a sample of it to review and it has already started helping me feel like less of a mess. It was really warm these past few weekends, and while I was working up a sweat for work, I used this facial spray to cool off and rehydrate my skin. How will this help with swimming? Well, this spray not only rehydrates skin and remove sweat, but it is capable of removing chlorine (or salt water) after swimming and is versatile enough to tame fly-away hair! I have yet to taste the chlorine removal to see how effective it is, but I am excited to try it for that.

But what am I spraying on my face (or hair) exactly? Evian is the brand behind mineral drinking water, and that unique water is what is behind their mineral water spray. No water has the same mineral content.
The 5 oz spray can is the perfect size to carry around, and I already know if I plan on visiting my sister in Japan, I’ll need to bring one of these to cool off and rehydrate me skin. This has definitely earned a permanent spot in my gym bag and now I just need to get myself back on a routine. One step at a time though.

What do you think of Evian Facial Spray and have you used it after a work out? Let me know!

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Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Evian and Brandbacker. All opinions and views expressed are my own.

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25

Posted on by Brandy Saldana

Blue Wrap Top  Diane von Furstenbeg via thredUP | Black Mesh Panel Midi Skirt Express (similar here) | Blue Jane Necklace Perry Street via Rocksbox | Silver Bow Bracelet Kate Spade New York | Ring Gift Macy’s | Samira Tower Radio Clutch Kate Spade New York (similar here) | Silver Sederaby d’Orsay Heels Manolo Blahnik (here) | Le Rouge Grenat Initie 307 Lipstick Givenchy (here)
A quarter of a century. I don’t exactly feel different or older, but it is still something I am trying to wrap my head around.
I am excited for this year though, and I am finally thinking of making some big changes. I’ve thought about changing my job, my hair and apartment for some time, but it is pretty easy for me to become comfortable with things and not take super big risks. I think this year my goal is to step out a little bit more out of my comfort zone. Starting a blog was definitely out of my comfort zone, but I’ve enjoyed putting myself out there and meeting the people that I have met. I’ve made friends that have been there for me during a scary moment and also there for fun and laughter. I am really happy with where I am at in life and look forward to making this year even better.
My goals around my last birthday were to be better with my body (and start a workout routine), know when to let go (and remove clutter) and make others smile more (by baking more.)
Out of all 3 things, I can say that I’ve done a really good job removing clutter from my apartment and especially from my closet. At one point it was putting a strain in my relationship with Armando since the apartment kind of just had too much in it. I am a lot better of editing my wardrobe, and letting go of 2 things or more when one new thing enters. I am still working on it, but it is a lot more manageable than it was before.
I’ve baked a few more times, but not as much as I’ve wanted to. In part because my oven is temperamental and decides when its 375 degrees on its own. I’ve burned more cupcakes and under cooked batches of brownies, but I am not discouraged. You’ll see more baked goods, especially since I picked up a Raspberry Ice Kitchen Aid mixer a few months ago.
I haven’t found a workout routine I like, but I do have a few passes to try a yoga studio for free for a month, so that might be what I do for awhile. I am happy with my body, but I want to make sure I am still active. 
Aside from stepping out of my comfort zone and working on these 3 things, I want to make sure I am supportive. Armando is in his last year of school, and he has been the best when it comes to me asking for outfit photos. I have had some taken from this summer I’ll be sharing, but there may be less outfit posts while he is focused on studying. This outfit is from when we say a Cirque de Soleil show together, but it seemed fitting to share it today because of how I felt in this outfit. 
The other person I want to support is my younger sister while she is teaching abroad in Japan. I miss her a lot and although I would have wanted her around to celebrate our birthdays together, I know she is doing something amazing that she is passionate about. Seeing how she’ll grow from this is something I look forward to and of course I plan on a few more visits to Tokyo, this time with Armando.
Thanks for sticking around to read my long post. I am grateful for you and your support means a lot to me. I hope you look to another fun year with me! 

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IFB: Links a la Mode Week 20

Posted on by Brandy Saldana

I am excited to share my Blade and Bow Bourbon Whiskey Cocktail Recipe was shared in the Independent Fashion Blogger Link a la Mode! Check out these other fabulous posts and thanks for the feature IFB!
Affordable: Before & After | Kim Kardashian Inspired Smokey EyesAl-Balsam Life: Balsam’s Thoughts on Cara Delevingne’s Interview for London’s The TimesAttire Club: Good Trend, Bad TrendDulse & Rugosa: Breakout Blues | Seaweed Can Help Stop BreakoutsEverest Says: Two Ways to Wear Yellow HeelsFashion & Frills: Picnic Print Mixing & Sugar Free Champagne Spritzers!Fashionopolis: Breaking Plus Size Fashion RulesFear in Wonderland: Is the Cheek Peek the New Exposed Midriff?Happy. Pretty. Sweet.: Sally Hansen Airbrush LegsLa Vintage Vida: The Jazz Age Lawn Party Part DeuxLil Miss JB Style: It GirlsMoments 2 Stop: Case of the MondaysMuscari Lane: The Japanese Way Oceanblue Style: le grand bleuSassy Ethnic Bohemian: <Closeup | Interview with Brooklyn’s Ed Roth of Stencil 1She Got Her Own: 10 Steps to Happiness Sparks N Style: Blues CluesWhat Erika Wears: Nutella Coconut SconesWill Bake for Shoes: Blade and Bow Bourbon Whiskey Cocktail Recipes Wish and Wear: Covet Monday | TimeSPONSOR: Shopbop 
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Back to School

Posted on by Brandy Saldana

Navy Blue Cardigan Banana Republic Factory Store | White T-Shirt Kenar | Lemon Necklace Kate Spade New York (here) | Blue and Yellow Watercolor Striped Camila Skirt Jack BB Dakota (here) | White Leather Cross Body Coach | Gold Nadia Arrowhead Bracelet Adia Kibur  via LE TOTE | Estelle Charm Bracelet & Antique Crystal Bracelet Noir Luxe via LE TOTE | X Ring Waffles & Honey via Les Mechantes (here) | Rogan Cognac Leather Flats Steve Madden |
Summer is quickly coming to an end and the flood of people in Berkeley means school is starting soon. Summer in the Bay Area is pretty amazing, especially when they are not as many people waiting for food at a restaurant or a ton of people packed inside a BART train. It feels a little bittersweet to let that go, and to jump into Fall when I have so many dresses to wear, but at least I have cute boots and coats to wear.
For today’s post, after experiencing Caltopia again, I thought I’d pay an ode to my alma mater and its school colors. I found this cute striped water color skirt at Crossroads Trading Co. and instantly fell in love with the colors! I paired it with a classic white t-shirt and brought out the shades of blue with the navy cardigan. I feel I have been really into skirts that are slightly high-waisted, but I love how casual this looks with a simple T. I can see myself repeatedly wearing this T-shirt more often than the skirt, which is one reason the skirt is currently available for sale in my Poshmark closet.
I tend to go a little overboard when I am notified of a Kate Spade Surprise Sale, so when I saw this lemon pendant, I knew it was joining my closet along with a matching lemon coin purse and cross body bag! This is a fun, eclectic piece, and I felt it would be an unexpected element to add with these blue and gold colors.
Hope you are having a great start to your week! I am so excited to be counting down the last few days I have as a 24 year old! I need to evaluate where I am with my goals from my last birthday, but stay tuned for a fun outfit post!

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Talia

Posted on by Brandy Saldana

Floral Print Top  Forever 21 | Red Midi Skirt Express |  Gold Leather Wrap Tassel Bracelet E. Kammeyer Accessories (here) |  Gold Nadia Arrowhead Bracelet Adia Kibur  via LE TOTE | Estelle Charm Bracelet & Antique Crystal Bracelet Noir Luxe via LE TOTE | X Ring Waffles & Honey via Les Mechantes (here) | Nude Talia Dress Pumps Loeffler Randall (here) | Rouge in Danger – Color 4 Rouge Volupte Shine Lipstick  YSL (here)Sometimes when you center your outfit around a new pair of heels, the rest of the outfit just follows. That is partially true for this outfit, but I also took my outfit inspiration from one of my older blog posts.

This floral print top from Forever 21 has been around since I was college student on a budget, and I made my way through thrift store after thrift store looking for some cute clothes without breaking the bank. I found this top and remember that it was only $3. I liked the print, there were no stains, and it was missing a button, but I didn’t care. I figured I could always replace the buttons (but I never did.)

It’s still been in my closet rotation, and the last time I wore it was during my trip to Japan 2 years ago. The only way I  had been wearing it was by pairing it with a red high waist skirt. This top has more potential, and even though I paired it with another red skirt, the midi length makes it office appropriate. I love my Express midi skirt just a little bit more than the short high waist skirt  because it has pockets and it is pretty classic.

A lot of the items in this post are not new, which I love about this outfit. Being able to combine items into different outfits still gives me more satisfaction than wearing an entirely new outfit. That’s a totally different story when it comes to shoes. I bought these beauties recently from Les Nouvelles because they were on sale. I discovered Loeffler Randall through this site and lately have been pretty obsessed with all Loeffler Randall heels (so much so that now I own 3 pairs!) I am a fan of the short heel size and love the scalloped edges.

I felt like my look is something a grade school teacher might wear. I feel if that’s what I did for a living, I would pretty happy being in these heels all day.

Hope you are having a great week and until next time,

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Byer California Grand Opening Celebration

Posted on by Brandy Saldana

I am excited to share that there is a store opening event going on in the East Bay this weekend that is starting today. Byer California is opening up their latest store in the San Francisco Premium Outlets.
The Byer California brand has been around since 1954 and opened its first location in Tejon. This store opening will be their second retail location. The Grand Opening Celebration is from Friday, August 13 through Sunday, August 16.
Grand opening weekend hours:
Thursday, Aug 13: 10am – 10pmFriday, Aug 14: 10am – 10pmSat, Aug 15: 10am – 10pmSun, Aug 16: 10am – 8pm
Celebrity stylist and fashion blogger Brittany Hart will be around offer styling tips and tricks to shoppers.
A Grand Opening wouldn’t be complete without giveaways, and there will also be special hourly drawings for major discounts and giveaways, including daily $100 gift certificates. Make sure to have your phone charged and follow @ByerCalifornia on Instagram to win pieces from their new collection.
I’ll be picking up some new clothes this weekend, so stay tuned for an outfit post featuring some Byer California pieces!
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