travel blogger, lifestyle blogger, influencer, brand influencer, influencer instagram, fashion blogger

Freedom Lover

Hope y’all had a great 4th of July! Independence Day is probably one of my favorite holidays and although each year, I normally just got to a BBQ at my friend’s house; this year my friends and I did something different and actually watched the fireworks at the Rosebowl. We parked at the parking lot and had a mini picnic and watched the fireworks from there. You have to pay $30 per car – which isn’t that bad if you go with your squad and you can just hang out all afternoon as you wait for the fireworks. There were so many pretty fireworks that my photos don’t do them justice at all. For this year’s independence day, I made a one piece bathing suit using red and blue knit fabrics with white stars on them. What do you think about this look and what did you do this fourth of July?

XOXO,

Joy

July 5, 2016July 5, 2016

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Why We Sweat

You don’t have to know me very well to figure out that I’m not the healthiest person alive. I absolutely love junk food, fries, pizza, fried chicken and ice cream. It wasn’t until recently that i realized that i felt like i really need to start making healthier choices as I’ve entered my mid twenties; for I no longer have the same metabolism of a 22 year old college student.

Join me in my journey as I struggle to eating healthy food, work my way out of toning my body, go to different fit events, learn how to balance my life between family, friends, fitness, work and blogging.

Tonight I went to my first fitness event called “Girls Night Out” by New Balance. We had the ever beautiful, soul inspiring, Shay Kostabi as our host and instructor for the night. She started our work out with her speech about “why we sweat” —- that we sweat for the struggle, strength, grace and victory. We sweat because it makes us happy, beautiful and glow. We sweat because that’s how we grow and learn together. Shay lead us into a fun, powerful, dance work out and through the 45 minute session, I definitely had my moment of struggle and it was very loud, screaming in my head to give up. But there was also that still, small voice of victory that I can do it— to not give in. So thankful for Shay for pushing us and encouraging us to keep going.

My girlfriends and I got to take pictures in the photo boot, drawn into caricatures, got a free gift bag with goodies and a very yummy treat, acai bowl for the rest of the night. There will be another Girls Night Out New Balance Event event in Santa Monica on May 19. Grab your squad and join us as we sweat and sparkle together!

XOXO,

Joy

May 13, 2016May 13, 2016

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Starlight

Last weekend, my girlfriends and I decided to go to Pismo Beach and visit Hearst Castle. Although, we wish we were at Coachella; we wanted to do something different this year. My best friend, partner in most crimes and sister from another mother, Jessicka and I decided to do a photoshoot in Hearst Castle since we both designed our dresses, share the love for fashion, dressing up, going on lots of adventures, laughing and blogging. We both used printed medallion fabrics. I made a high low, long sleeve, V-neck dress and she made a bell sleeve, lace up shift dress. We had so much fun doing this shoot and this may be just the beginning of our many duo photoshoots together! If you haven’t checked out her cute little blog, you should do so at https://fashionplayhouse.wordpress.com What do you think of these looks? If you would like to see us in other themed outfits, definitely let us know! 😉

XO,

Joy

April 27, 2016April 27, 2016

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BLACK LIGHT RUN

Are you scared of the dark? Because if you are, you definitely should not do this run. Black light run is a unique 5K fun run filled with neon glowing with friends and family. It definitely felt more like a “rave run.”This is one of the most colorful and brightest runs I’ve even been. Although, the run is a bit rocky and dangerous if you don’t pay attention where you are going, you can easily thrip and fall. It is definitely a lot of fun. My girlfriends and I actually ran the whole thing but if you’re still new at running, it’s a great place to start where you can also walk, dance or just frolic around for fun. We also made our own customized T-Shirts where we spelled out #BAES at the back and wrote our theme for this year which is “THE BEST IS YET TO COME” We had so much fun making our shirts and they actually did glow in the run. This is just an option that we wanted to do but you are also given your own Black Light Run shirt at the beginning when you sign in.

Last but not the least, there’s a huge glow in the dark party after the run! 😉

Are you participating in any run soon? You definitely should! Such an awesome way to have fun and stay fit all at once.

XO,

Joy

March 18, 2016March 18, 2016

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Baking Macarons 101

Two years ago, one of my new year’s resolution was to learn how to bake macaroons since I am so obsessed with them. It wasn’t until a few weeks ago did that really happened… Wish I can say it was simple, it wasn’t but it was actually a lot of fun! One of my high school bffs is an amazing baker.. (& yes, I’ve been very blessed to have her feed me yummy treats on most of our sleep overs for the past decade, check her insta out: @ctelliewellie)

Without further ado, here’s how to make macaroons from Chantelle’s Kitchen:

Strawberry Macarons Recipe

For the shells:

300 g ground almonds

300 g icing sugar

15 g dried strawberries

220 egg whites

300 g caster sugar

75 g water

a pinch of food coloring

1.5 tbsp water

For the chocolate strawberry ganache:

200g dark chocolates

200 ml double cream

15 g strawberry powder

Equipments you’ll need:

Parchment paper

Stand mixer

Spatula

Piping bags

Piping Nozzle

Thermapen thermometer

How to make the shells:

Weigh out icing sugar, ground almonds and raspberry powder in a bowl.
Transfer to a blender and whizz for 10 seconds until fine.

3. Pour 110 egg white over it and leave surface without stirring while you prepare for the italian meringue.

4. Line 4 large baking trays with parchment paper.

5. Heat the caster sugar and 75 g water in a pan. Watch the temperature with a cooking thermometer.

6. When the sugar syrup reaches 121 degrees celsius, pour slowly over the egg whites while they are still whisking.

7. Whisk for 3 min on high speed. Reduce speed until it cools to 50 degrees celsius.

8.Use a spatula to fold the italian meringue into the almond mixture.

9. Keep folding/mixing until it turns glossy and add food coloring.

10. Place a round 8mm nozzle in a piping bag and fill with macaroon mixture. Pipe rounds with a 3.5 cm diameter spaced 2 cm apart.

11. Leave the macarons to dry out for a couple of minutes.

12. Pre-heat the oven to 160 degrees celsius.

13. Cook the macarons for 12 minutes. Open the door for a few seconds after 8 minutes to release the steam and again after 10 minutes and watch as the “feet”starts to form.

14. Transfer to a cooling rack after peeling them off parchment paper.

To make the chocolate strawberry ganache:

Bring the heavy whipping cream to boil in a pan.

16. Pour over the chocolate. Leave for 30 seconds then stir to form a smooth, glossy ganache until it melts completely.

17. Stir in the dried strawberry.

18. Place a 8mm piping nozzle in a piping bag and fill with the strawberry ganache. Pipe rounds to within 3mm of the edge on the half of the macarons. Top with the other half and refrigerate for 24 hours before eating (we didn’t so you don’t have to! 😉

Hope you enjoy joy your macarons as much as we did!

February 7, 2016February 9, 2016

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