Favorite Products & Purchases

After a super busy work week, I could definitely use a little downtime so my brain and body can relax.

The flowers in the photo above are from Valentine's day. I've said it before, I'm not a huge sucker for flowers but if you really want to give me flowers, carnations are my absolute favorite. They last long and are inexpensive. It's been almost two weeks and they look just as vibrant as in the photo.

On to some fashion, beauty, and home decor favorites...

The President's Day sales last weekend had me browsing and shopping around for good deals. I wasn't really in the market for new clothes but I picked up a few pieces for work and play at Kohl's.

one  /  two  /  three  / four

I was on the hunt for a cute yet smallish backpack for traveling and finally chose this one. Earlier this week I shared all the fun adult backpacks that Target has on the shelves (or online) so it was a tough decision choosing the right one.

I compare Formula 10.0.6 skincare products to the NYX brand in terms of great value for price. I've been using the skin toner for a couple years now and it's my absolute favorite...with a $6 price tag.

 The mattifying moisturizer works wonders with oil-control in the Florida heat/humidity (the only thing is it doesn't contain SPF.)

The newest product to me is the 3-in-1 Wash + Scrub + Mask which exfoliates and fights blackheads. I tried this mask for first time over the weekend and my face felt silky soft and so clean afterwards.

Happy Friday and I hope you have the best weekend!

Fun Adult Backpacks

I recently decided I needed a small backpack not only for traveling but also for the theme parks so I can fit a sweater, snacks, a water bottle and so on in there. Target came to the rescue! When I saw all the cute styles they had on the shelves I didn't know where to begin. It was tough choosing just one but I summed it down to three favorites based on the durability of the material and of course cuteness.

My favorite three are in the top row below but I wanted to share all the other backpack styles I was tossing up between. I eventually decided on "the one" and purchased it for 25% off during the President's Day sales over the week.

one  /  two  /  three

four  /  five  /  six

seven  /  eight  /  nine


Which one is your favorite?

Nice to See You Friday

I've been spotty with getting a post ready in time for Friday with my work schedule and other life events but today I have some fun things to share.

Boots, Books, Beauty, Baking & Bands.

All B's...somehow it worked out that way so I'm rolling with it!

Boots
I've bought 3 pairs of boots in the last couple weeks. All black. Maybe a little over the top but after moving and digging through my stuff, I remembered many of my black boots were given to Goodwill since they all had a good amount of miles on them so I'm starting fresh this "winter".

 one / two / three

Books
I'm wayyy late to the game on this but I've been "audio-reading" Eat, Pray, Love this week on my commute. Last week I finished reading The Couple Next Door which was a crazy, mind-boggling suspense book (that I thoroughly enjoyed) but it was time to change the pace and I feel this soul-searching book was the right decision.

image via

Beauty: Hair Products
My hairdresser convinced me a while ago that sulfate-free hair products are the way to go for my color-treated hair in terms of moisture retention and keeping my blonde looking vibrant.

shampoo / conditioner / 10-in-1 Elixir

I was pleasantly surprised when Influenster sent me these three L'Oreal EverPure hair products complimentary for testing purposes because they contain some main ingredients that I look for that are gentle on your hair and are 100% sulfate-free. I've washed my hair a handful of times now using all 3 products and my hair has been silky smooth since. I have to the say Elixir is one of my favorite products for detangling and using as a heat protector since I blow-dry my hair quite often.

Beauty: Lip Products
The Murad Age Reform Soothing Lip Care is quite possibly the most amazing thing that ever touched my lips. My Ethestician introduced me to it last weekend when I went for a facial and I hesitated to purchase the $22 product but I went home I found it for a more affordable price on Amazon.

Baking
I'm always on the hunt for new recipes since we tend to have the same rotation of meals for dinner during the week. K has mastered the art of cooking Chicken Cordon Bleu which is one of my favorite dishes so I was immediately intrigued by this Sundried Tomato and Cheese Stuffed Chicken recipe from SkinnyTaste. I can't wait to try it!

Bands
This one has me the most excited because I don't go to concerts often enough. We have tickets to see Florida Georgia Line this weekend so you already know I'm ready to get the weekend started!

All favorites aside, didn't we just ring in the new year and it's already the last weekend in January?

I hope you enjoy a weekend full of your own favorites.

Friday Favorites

With Monday being a work holiday, this week seemed to just fly by which is always a great feeling! After the busyness of the holidays, I'm welcoming a fairly relaxing weekend which is perfect since the weather forecast isn't looking good!

 
On Fridays I usually post about some favorites from the week. Today I wanted to change it up and share favorites that are relevant to the theme of my blog (all listed in my navigation bar above).

Martinis & Bikinis is a Lifestyle Blog so I talk about a hodge podge of things which inherently means these are the things I love and enjoy doing.

Orlando Living

I talk about my weekend whereabouts and all the things I love about my city including my favorite sushi restaurants, happy hour hot spots...and other fun things to do.

Travel
I have a huge passion for traveling so this comes in 2 parts...

Travel Planning
The only trip I have signed and sealed for 2017 is Boston in the Spring and I'm super excited about planning out the details of that trip!

I'm sure there will be other travel adventures throughout the year once we figure out our work schedules.

 via

Travel Recaps
A recent one was our company Cruise to the Bahamas last month and how much fun we had exploring Nassau.

That's me learning how to use a selfie stick. Still don't own one.

Style & Fashion

I'm a shopper at heart but I like to find the best deals and stock up when things are on sale. I mainly share fashion and beauty products that are very affordable, not that $3000 purse that nobody can afford. 

Recipes

I love cooking and sharing new recipes. Sundays are usually when I have time to try a new recipe and share the details on the blog. My recipe posts have slowed down recently but I do plan to share some healthy new recipes for 2017 such as this Jalapeno & Swiss Stuffed Chicken dish.

My Life: Family & Friends

With all of the fun things aside, I don't share too much details of my family life to keep a level of privacy from the internet creepers.

What I can tell you is....

- K and I have parents that are still married (40+ years)

- We both have one sibling - both sisters

- Our extended family is huge on both sides & very close knit

- We have no kids but Lola is the love of our life (and a handful enough)

- We have a great group of friends in Orlando 

- Both of our best friends are from childhood days

Happy (almost) weekend and I hope the weather treats you better wherever you are!

Swimsuits: Cute with Coverage

My company booked a 3-day cruise to the Bahamas this weekend for employees to relax and vacation after our huge annual seminar last week which tends to get stressful for us organizing the details during crunch time. While I love all my bikinis and even some of the "itsy" bottoms from Victoria's Secret, I went shopping for some swimsuits that had a little more coverage for this company vacation. I haven't worn a one-piece swimsuit since childhood but, with all the cute styles out there now, I'm ready to give it a go again! 

Strappy Back One Piece  //  Strappy Back Macrame Monokini

Crochet Inset One Piece  //  Halter Midkini Top

Striped Cross Body Bikini  //  Patterned Strappy Back One Piece

Black Strappy-Side Bandeau  //  Bandeau Tankini Top

White Strappy One-Piece  //  Black Mesh Inset Hipster Bikini

Target seriously came good this year with their fashionable tankinis and one-piece swimsuits (which are mostly all on clearance right now) and Express surprisingly also had some really cute styles that offered coverage.

With Hurricane Matthew now on the radar for this week, I'm not sure if we will even be going on the cruise but I presume it will be rescheduled for another weekend. At this point, I'm more concerned about the Hurricane and what it may bring our way and to everyone in it's path. The swimsuits I bought will be inevitably worn at some point.

Prayers!

21 Gifts for Fashion Forward Ladies

Shopping has been on the back burner for me the past few months other than for the essentials and random things from Amazon. It's the pretty things I've been avoiding by not clicking on that email from my favorite shop offering BOGO on jeans or some other irresistible sale. Online browsing leads to online purchasing, well it does in my case, so I've done a decent job at avoiding it.  Until recently.

It just so happens the majority of ladies in my life (my sister, mom, favorite cousin, and a ton of girl friends) have birthdays towards the end of the year, and with 2016 technically being half way through, browsing happened over the weekend.

Building a wishlist has to start somewhere so these are some of my favorite finds:

I'm clearly adoring all the soft colors for clothing yet shiny and glittery for accessories. And those coasters are my favorite for the home!
 

 Off the Shoulder Dress / Kate Spade Glitter Stud Earrings / 'Surf' Flat Sandals
 Kendra Scott 'Elisa' Necklace / MAC Mascara / Sleeveless Knit Romper

 BaubleBar 'Bold' Necklace  / MAC Eye-shadow  / UD 'Naked' Palette

Strappy Tank Dress / Floppy Straw Look Hat / Timex Leather Watch

Lumino Gilded Coasters / LP Dry Shampoo / Paisley Off the Shoulder Dress

MAC 'Look in a Box' / Ray-Ban Sunglasses  / Bobbi Brown 'beach' Body Oil

Kate Spade Journal  / Red Carpet Manicure Kit / Crossed Arrow Bookends

Faux Fashion

When it comes to faux fashion I automatically think of faux leather or fur vests but there are so many other cute styles out there that are worth taking for a spin in the dressing room. I've always loved faux leather tights but they are not flattering on my body type yet I do love how they look on women in general. The relaxed fit of faux suede has been on my radar along with some other faux pretties under $50:

one / two / three / four / five / six / seven / eight / nine / ten / eleven / twelve

I've only just begun dipping my toes into faux fashion but I hope to add some of these cute and affordable pieces to my closet when the prolonged shopping freeze comes to an end.


Do you have any faux favorites?

Lace Looks

Lace is one of those fabrics that automatically adds a feminine touch to any outfit. I have a handful of lace-detailed dresses that I bring out for special occasion but I've been browsing some more casual looks for the summer. There are so many affordable and cute options out there from lace-back tops to shorts with a subtle lace trimming as well as rompers and even swimsuits. These are some of my top picks:

one / two / three / four / five / six / seven / eight /  nine / ten / eleven / twelve


Do you have any favorite lace pieces in your wardrobe?

Satin Sleepwear

I was browsing through Victoria's Secret in the mall over the weekend and remembering how much I love soft and silky sleepwear yet I only own one satin robe. I've always wanted silk or satin sheets for the pure comfort factor but have never managed to find the right set. When it comes to pajamas and sleepwear they have so many cute options out there. Here's a few I found:

one / two / three / four / five / six / seven / eight

And some cute sleep masks could never hurt to make sure you get a good night of sleep.

What's your sleepwear essentials or favorites?

Crochet Dresses under $50

Crochet clothing has been on my mind lately. I recently bought a pair of crochet shorts and ended up going back to buy the same pair in a few more colors because of how comfortable and cute they are from Spring/Summer. I have a couple tops with crochet detailing but one thing I don't own is a pretty crochet dress so I was browsing around and found some pretty styles with reasonable price tags.

one / two / three / four / five / six / seven / eight


I apologize for the radio silence the past few days. I hope to be back in action tomorrow to get caught up on your posts and responding to emails.

XOXO

Loving Lately: Fashion

 

Spring is a tricky season to dress for here in Florida because it can surprise you with 80-degree weather one day followed by a random cold front bringing in 50-degree temps. Typically the days are warm and the nights can be chilly so you need to have to be prepared with a good mix of Spring and Summer outfits.

Over the last couple of years, Express has been my go-to store for good quality work and weekend clothing (other than my occasional bargain shopping at Marshall's or T.J. Maxx). I was recently searching for some outfits with cute patterns and pops of color that are comfortable and versatile for this time of year.

Blue Halter Romper  *  Floral High-Waisted Skirt  *  Marled Cowl Back Tee

Handkerchief Sundress  *  White Distressed Jeans  *  Chevron Halter Top

Elastic Waist Caftan  *  Deep V-Neck Bikini Bodysuit  *  Floral Sundress

My motto when it comes to clothing and shoes has always been comfort is key so that's what I was going for here. I know that anyone residing up north will probably classify these outfits as summer wear so I'm not trying to skip the seasons with these fashion finds. You can definitely be thankful you don't have to deal with the sweltering heat of Summers in Florida.

There's always that silver lining, right?

Rocksbox Finale

I sadly just cancelled my Rocksbox subscription after receiving my final box of goodies. I absolutely loved all the sparkly statement jewelry I received during the holidays and since then I've toned it down to more delicate/subtle pieces (mainly from Kendra Scott).

The truth is summer is coming up, life is slowing down (in the fancy department), and I simply don't have enough events to wear a bunch of jewelry to. The cool thing is you can take "breaks" and restart your subscription at any point if you want/need more pretty jewelry in your life for weddings or any other events.
 

If you're not familiar with how Rocksbox works, you can get unlimited designer jewelry for $19/month. You can borrow 3 pieces at a time (approximate value $200) and return the set at any point for a new set. The subscription includes free, prepaid shipping both ways (which saves a ton) and you can also purchase any pieces you love for a discounted rate.

Rocksbox Set #9
 

Kendra Scott
Jamie Silver Bracelet in Platinum Drusy

This bracelet is gorgeous and went so well with my watch so of course I decided to purchase it. Kendra Scott's platinum drusy stone is so shimmery and one of my favorites since I prefer to wear silver toned jewelry.
 

Kendra Scott

Elisa Silver Necklace in Iridescent Drusy

This Kendra Scott iridescent drusy necklace was very pretty too because once again I love sparkly stones. I wore it quite often for a few weeks but decided not to purchase because I prefer the platinum drusy stone as mentioned above.

Gorjana
Candice Shimmer Ring in Silver

This ring was very pretty but not really my style so I think I wore it once for novelty. It was a definite return but at least they got the silver and dainty aspect covered.

What I loved the most about my Rocksbox subscription was all the beautiful Kendra Scott pieces I received over the past few months (of course, I ended up purchasing 90% of those pieces). Once you're a Rocksbox member you can create a wishlist of items which your stylist will make sure to include in your upcoming boxes. This is key to receiving pieces that fit your style and are from designers that you love the most.

Here are some my previous Rocksbox sets and purchases:

one  /  two  /  three  /  four  /  five  /  six

Spring Casual

When I think of Spring fashion, comfortable florals and colorful outfits come to mind. My closet once used to be very black and white but I've been adding lots of colorful tops and accessories over the past few years. I don't however own many floral pieces probably because I'm very picky with florals as they can't be too "flowery". Does that even make sense? I guess I don't like too much noise in my outfits. This cute yet subtle floral top from Forever 21 has been in my closet for over 7 years and I still love it! It's has a super comfortable elastic waist and is light and airy for Spring and Summer in Florida.

 

We took these photos while exploring the historic district in St. Augustine over Easter weekend. One of my favorite (and must-have) accessories for traveling is a good size cross body purse that can fit more that just a couple credit cards and a lipstick. My pink Kate Spade cross body purse is the perfect travel companion (this particular one is sold out but they do have similar cross body purses in a variety of colors).

I don't consider myself a fashion blogger and I don't have a professional photographer sidekick so these photos come to you as they are - unedited and imperfect. I love fashion and will share some favorite outfits from time to time.

Has anyone tried mid-rise jeans as yet? They are life-changing!! At least they are a life-changer for me and my particular body type. Express has a good variety of styles and after wearing my first pair for a few weeks (the Dark Wash Mid Rise Supersoft Jean Legging that I'm wearing in these photos), I've gone back and purchased two more styles.



Mac's Flat Out Fabulous matte lipstick is still one of my prettiest lip colors and it was the perfect touch for this spring-inspired outfit.

While we were exploring downtown St. Augustine, we had to make a stop at one of my favorite spots,  Sangria's Wine & Piano Bar to cool down and have a refreshing glass of fruity sangria.



I bought these adorable Purple Flash Mirror Aviators in Las Vegas last year from the Michael Kors store with some winnings from the Wheel of Fortune slot machine. Purple is my favorite color so I couldn't resist but they definitely don't go with just any outfit. Luckily I was able to wear them out that weekend with the outfits I packed.



My latest Kendra Scott addition (purchased from Rocksbox) is this adjustable Jamie Bracelet in Platinum Drusy which I love because it sparkles in the light. Rocksbox just sent me the matching necklace and earrings so temptation is running high to purchase those as well. I mean they're meant to be worn together, right?

Shop The Look

Express Mid Rise Jeans * Michael Kors Watch * Kendra Scott Jamie Bracelet * Kendra Scott Elisa Necklace * Kate Spade Cross Body Purse * Michael Kors Chelsea Aviators * MAC Flat Out Fabulous Lipstick


What do you love about Spring fashion?

Silky Hair & Stylish Gear

Healthy hair and cute yet comfortable clothing and shoes are a continuous improvement battle in my life. I often buy things that just don't work so I tend to stick with products for a lifetime when I do find something that works 100%.

A big part of the battle is finding products that are actually effective for my hair type which is naturally very thick and wavy. I blow-dry my hair after washing to get the straight look that I typically rock on a daily basis. On top of being thick, it can be very frizzy in the Florida humidity so hot tools and hair serum are a necessity for me!

I shared my torturous hair drying routine two years ago in this post but since then it became significantly easier when I discovered the Revlon Hair Brush Dryer. Having explained my hair type, I have to say all three of these products provided to me by Influenster couldn't be more perfect!

I received a VoxBox of goodies from L'Oreal Paris' new Extraordinary Oil product line and I was immediately shocked they sent full size bottles. I was excited to try them but honestly a little hesitant because the name of these products led me to believe they have a very oily consistency. That was definitely not the case.

L'Oréal® Nourishing Shampoo & Conditioner 

I'll start by saying that all of these products contain lightweight oils which are nourishing for dry or damaged hair but not noticeable. The shampoo lathers up so well which is great for thick hair and I love how the conditioner left my hair feeling super soft and silky. I will definitely purchase again!

L'Oréal® Lusturous Oil Serum

This serum has ultra-light oils and absorbs very quickly in my hair to fix the frizz without leaving an oily look. I absolutely love this serum and use it after blow-drying to soften and style my hair.

Outfit Details:

Off Shoulder Top (similar) * AEO Denim Skirt (similar)
Tory Burch Sunglasses * Kate Spade Glitter Stud Earrings
Alex & Ani Bangles  *  Tory Burch Thora Metallic Sandals 

L'Oreal Paris provided these products for review purposes via Influenster. This review is my true and honest opinion based on actual product use.

Summer Essentials

When I think of summer, I think of weekend days lounging by the pool and a few trips to the beach for some sun, sea and sand. Luckily I already have a few trips planned so I'm excited about that! With the weather almost being summer-like here, I have my favorite essentials ready to go.

Packed Beach Bag
I have a beach/pool bag that remains packed with some essentials all year round. Can I go to the pool or beach all year round? That would be a no. But why unpack everything when I can have my beach bag ready to grab and go for that one perfect weather day.

Here's what's in the bag:
* his and hers beach towels
* waterproof bluetooth speakers
*  SPF sunscreen
* SPF tanning oil spray
* Lip balm with SPF
* hand sanitizer
* small body spray
* small hair brush
* a fedora hat



Swim Suits & Cover-ups
Of course some good fitting swimsuits and cover-ups are needed and, from the name of my blog, you can probably tell I'm all about cute bikinis and just swim wear in general. PHAX Swimwear, a fashion focused swim/surf brand out of Colombia, contacted me about their brand hitting the shelves in the USA and asked if I would be interested in ordering some of their products. Of course I was interested!

I chose a beautiful jade-colored bikini to go with the Samburu cover-up from their Spring 2016 Ortulivo Beah Lookbook. I can tell that all of these pieces are great quality because of the super soft material. Their swim suits contain LYCRA fiber which helps the material to move and stay true to your shape to get that perfect fit.

PHAX is offering my readers a generous 30% discount at checkout with the coupon code: shopmartinisbikinis

 

What I really like about PHAX swim wear and clothing is that their product line is very fun and vibrant which is perfect for summer. Everything is also hand made (from cut to stitch to embroidery) so that's pretty impressive! I get nervous ordering swimwear and underwear online because you really need these things to fit perfectly for your body. Thankfully the sizes for the bikini top and bottom piece were perfect. The cover-up (pictured below in blue) I ordered a small but it runs more like a medium. The good thing is loose fitting cover-ups are comfortable so it doesn't need to be returned.

 

Sunglasses
I have a few pairs of sunglasses that I rotate depending on the outfit and occasion. My current favorite are these Michael Kors Aviators pictured below. They have purple mirror lenses which you can't really tell from the photo.



Hydration
Never leave home without some cold water or sparkling water bottles to stay hydrated and if you're looking for some spike in your refreshments, I'd definitely recommend Skinny Girl Cocktails. They are all light and refreshing but I happen to love the Mojito and  Cosmo cocktails.

Waterproof Flip Flops
I mean this goes without saying. Comfortable shoes in general are always needed throughout the year but when it comes to summer, cute flip flops are a must. My current lust are these beauties from Tory Burch which are also waterproof.

Activities & Fun
If you're heading to the beach or the pool some entertainment might be needed. This could be reading material or water/land activities and sports such as volleyball or racket ball. Whatever peaks your interest, make sure to pack it in your beach bag so you don't get bored.

What are your summer essentials?

The PHAX products were provided to me complimentary in return for my honest review of the products. All opinions stated above are honest and accurate based on my true experience.