SUNDAY Q&A
I’m coming to NYC for one week. Where should I stay? I love the pool pictures you post when you stay in the city. DO you mind sharing the hotel name?
Of course! It’s such a great hotel and sometimes you can find a really good deal. It’s the Le Parker Meridien and its changing the name to Parker New York Hotel. It’s our fav pool (indoor on the roof with beautiful views) It’s great down time in this busy city for kids. We love to stay here as a family. The pool is a lap pool with food service and a bar. The views are amazing. In the summer it opens up and you can also go on the roof.
As a couple we have been staying at The Bryant Park Hotel. I love the staff. There are 3 Dennis’s that work there. Not kidding. I also ran into Uma Thurman there last week but that’s not why. haha. The rooms have pretty views of Bryant Park and it’s close to Times Square and Theatre district. Also a great Soul cycle studio around the corner.
Next door is KOI ( an amazing sushi restaurant) and down the block from a few exercise classes we love. Also in the center of Bryant Park and close to Grand Central. It’s perfect for us! You can also look it up on Hotels Tonight app! You can get amazing deals on this hotel and they always upgrade your room if they have it.
Q&A
1.Are you originally from Arizona? How did you become a blogger? I’m thinking of starting my own business but I’m nervous.
I realized that it’s been so long since I’ve introduced myself on here. I grew up in Mesa, Arizona. We actually lived in Orlando, Florida until I turned 9. Then the rest of my childhood and teen years were in AZ. We moved to the East Coast almost 9 years ago. This is definitely home. We love to TRAVEL as a family, and started a new tradition this last summer of exploring Europe for a couple weeks. My main passion is skin care and I’m an esthetician. I worked for a plastic surgeon for 3 years when we lived in California. I worked at a Med Spa in NYC on and off when we lived downtown and then started my own eyelash extension business. I met a lot of high profile clients thanks to Kristin Chenoweth. It was a really fun chapter of life when I was interacting with those clients each week. I remember Kristin Chenoweth getting on her piano and rehearsing one afternoon while I was setting up my stuff. It was surreal. We left the city and now live on the outskirts while raising our 3 kids. Dennis commutes by train to Times Square (takes 50 minutes) and I do too when I take our daughter to NYC ballet school twice a week. I started blogging my first year living in NYC. It turned full time a few years later. I have a funny side and love to laugh and be goofy. Movies are my thing and I’m a big movie goer. Maybe I go for the popcorn and milk duds. I’m gluten free most of my life and I’m really into self care and exercise. I need it mentally as much as my body needs it.
If you want to start your own business, I say go for it! You’ll never know if you don’t try. Focus on all the good things that can come out of it instead of the bad. Also stay in your own lane. Focus on what you are building and not other people. I think when you start a new business it’s easy to fall in the comparison trap. Trust me, I get it. But you’ll be able to celebrate all your small and large victories if you aren’t comparing yourself. I remember when my instagram hit 100,000 follows and I wanted to throw a party for my business. I had someone tell me — “it’s not that great until you have at least 500,000, it’s embarrassing yourself if you do that.” I wish I could go back and realize in that moment how crazy that sounded. I was making more money than I ever thought possible with my “little blogging business” and I was reaching so many goals I had. I never threw that party and I always felt it wasn’t enough. So be proud of the small and large victories you make. Be proud of yourself, and don’t compare.
Jenna (mom) wearing – JUMPSUIT IN CREAM or BLACK /
Girls – they normally wouldn’t match in a family photo but I forgot their outfits and Nana had these for them. win!
Davis – Nordstrom Boy Section SWEATER & now CREWCUTS CORDS at Nordstrom, also in this color – CORDS
Dennis – Nordstrom Mens
2.What do you use on your BLEMISHES/WHITEHEADS? You recommended something that dries them out.
YES! Keep this PINK BOTTLE in your cabinet at all times. You never know when a pimple will pop up. I use a q-tip and apply a small amount to the blemish overnight. When I wake up it’s either gone or 80% gone.
3.What are your TOP FIVE LIP COLORS?
*my absolute favorite is the YSL LIP OIL. It has to say oil on it to be the right one! It’s not sticky and makes for very kissable lips that stay in place. It’s super hydrating. I had to have it in a few colors because it’s so good. It isn’t sold everywhere so when searching for it make sure it’s this one. I ROSE YOU and UNDRESS ME are my fav shades right now. you might have to pre-order for October delivery but well worth it!!
*this CHEAT LIP LINER by CT is unreal. i love the iconic nude and outline my lips with it. Then I fill in my lips with it as a base before applying my lipstick or gloss.
*all of the CHARLOTTE T. HOT LIPS are so good. Have you seen the lip emoji on the lipstick? I love the Kim K.W. color.
*SMASHBOX – MAUVE MATTE became a favorite in Paris a couple years ago. My girlfriend introduced me to it and I always buy it again when I run out. It’s good!!
*BENEFIT – PUNCH POP BUBBLEGUM – my favorite gloss to keep in my bag for adding color.
4.I’m headed to a wedding in 2 months! what do I wear to a December wedding? I need a cocktail dress.
I guess it depends how formal it is and if you have a specific color to follow. Here are some fun dresses for wedding season!
pretty COCKTAIL MIDI DRESS is on it’s way to me!
this ALEXIS RED LACE DRESS is unreal. a splurge but worth it for a wedding.
obsessed with this DRESS and perfect for wedding season and beyond.
this DRESS is a current fav. don’t miss checking this LONG SLEEVE beauty.
SALONI DRESSES are my fav. Worth checking out all the prints and styles for this new season.
This LACE DRESS is KILLER!!
TIE FRONT DRESS (in midnight navy or sparkle)
5.I really loved your SELF LOVE POST you did this week. Can you talk more about this topic? It’s easy to see bloggers and think they aren’t really real. I don’t mean that mean. You guys travel, seem to have endless funds, and maintain a size 0 at all times while popping out babies. Please do more relatable articles like this.
I agree! Definitely trying to keep it real – SELF LOVE POST. I have many many hard days and definitely things are not as glam as they look. Remember that when scrolling through instagram.
ADIDAS FLASH BACK SNEAKER $85! | RED BELT BAG | CHAMPION SWEATSHIRT $55 (wearing medium) | LEVIS (go up one side)
Does your belt bag look the CHANEL BAG?
YES!!! It looks so similar. I wrote a full post HERE.
6.How do you know TYKE on THE VOICE? I know him and love him. Small world.
He’s my bff’s nephew! He was using a voice coach in NYC last year and we got to know him. He’s the coolest and his voice is amaze. Watch the voice so you can vote for him!!
7.What are your favorite facials to get? I need something that feels good but will make a difference in my skin.
PRP Vampire Facial and the COSMELAN PEEL for pigmentation. I love a CRYO FACIAL or HYDRATING FACIAL for maintenance.
8.I want that TEDDY BEAR COAT you had last year. Do you know if it’s coming back this year?
It’s in LEOPARD this year! I also posted a bunch of FALL COZY PIECES here. I’ll make sure to post if the other one comes back.
9.Can I ask sizing for the H&M dresses you found?
okay go to this H&M FALL FINDS post. I listed the sizes I bought. I usually do a small or size 2.
P448 SNEAKERS (true to size) | BLACK JBRAND JEANS | BEANIE | BLACK TEE | SUNGLASSES | GOLD HOOPS
DO you like these sneakers better than GOLDEN GOOSE?
I wrote about these amaze shoes HERE. The answer is YES! Also these are a couple hundred less than the GG sneaks and more comfortable. 
P448 SNEAKERS (true to size)
The BEST JOGGER SET! My family is in town and we got matching jogger sets because they were so cute!
TRACK PANTS (i have xs) | TRACK JACKET (in xs)
10. What GUCCI DUPES are your current favorites?
these FUR SLIDES | these BOOTS with red laces
11.What do you use for your BROWS? I need help!
Go to this BEAUTY POST. I explain it all on #7!
12. What are FALL FINDS for under $100?
I find so many under $50 sweaters and dresses at HERE. This sweater below is one of my fav finds for under $50.
13.What are the eye gel patches you love and did a tutorial on the other day?
They are called BRIGHT EYES. I’m obsessed! I put them on in the mornings when I’ve had a long night or right before I go out with friends. They help your under eyes look bright and refreshed. I love giving these to friends as gifts.
14.I’m coming to NYC for one week. Where should I stay? I love the pool pictures you post when you stay in the city. DO you mind sharing the hotel name?
Of course! It’s such a great hotel and sometimes you can find a really good deal. It’s the Le Parker Meridien and its changing the name to Parker New York Hotel. It’s our fav pool (indoor on the roof with beautiful views) It’s great downtime in this busy city for kids. We love to stay here as a family
As a couple we have been staying at The Bryant Park Hotel. I love the staff. There are 3 Dennis’s that work there. Not kidding. I also ran into Uma Thurman there last week but that’s not why. haha.
Next door is KOI ( an amazing sushi restaurant) and down the block from a few exercise classes we love. Also in the center of Bryant Park and close to Grand Central. It’s perfect for us! You can also look it up on Hotels Tonight app! You can get amazing deals on this hotel and they always upgrade your room if they have it.
15.What does your husband do in NYC?
My husband (Dennis, we call him D) works in Times Square. He’s in finance. He commutes every single day from the town we live in. Takes about 50 minutes. We decided not to raise the kids in the city after living there for 3 years. However, we end up in the city several times a week because we LOVE it! Our 7 year old dances there twice a week and I go into the city for work while the kids are at school. I feel like we get the best of both worlds.
16.How did your girls like Frozen the Broadway?
They loved it! They seem a little grown up now for the movie but the magic came back during the Broadway show. I really loved it too. Such a fun show and great message about unconditional love.
17. Will you share your favorite Anthropologie sale picks?
I just noticed there is a 20% off full price item sale happening right now. I will def look through the new arrivals.
18.Do you recommend facials with LED LIGHT THERAPY?
YES! definitely best way to work on ant-aging. It also kills bacteria and fights acne. I had a few people email me about how they use LED Therapy in cancer treatments and how it’s proven to be so effective and life changing.I’ll always ask for red light therapy!
My esthetician recommended this LIGHT THERAPY SYSTEM for home use. It’s on sale!! Improves skin elasticity (need for my neck!) calms inflammation & redness, kills bacteria to improve breakouts and acne. I’m so drawn to it because it helps tackle pigmentation issues and helps products penetrate deeper into your skin. Comes with mask and gels to use the tool with.
TOPSHOP SWAETER – wearing size small $50 | HOW TO STYLE MESSY and DIRTY HAIR | TORY BURCH BOOTS (last year, linked this year version)
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