Sweet Like Deadly Nightshade

Fun fact: When I was growing up, my father had major aspirations of my brother and I becoming child models. Every so often he would put up a white bedsheet on one of the walls in the living room, get some props and outfits together and we’d have our own photoshoot sessions right at home. I still have the albums full of the photos including the professional ones that he had done to send to modeling agencies. Neither my brother or I ever got a modeling contract as kids (Not for lack of trying, I mean we were adorable but I guess that wasn’t enough, hahaha) but at the very least we have the memories.

At the start of quarantine last year, my brother was actually the first one to point out that I could not use the pandemic as an excuse for not continuing to take photos and create content. According to him, I’ve been “trained for in-house photoshoots” and now I even have more space to work with than we did growing up. I initially disagreed because working in one space can be pretty limiting, but in time I took up the challenge, working around issues with lightening (my apartment is intentionally dark in certain spaces) and even did some much needed furniture/decor shopping which I had put off for the last 2 years.

I’ve done quite a bit of shooting at home as a result, some of which I haven’t shared yet, but I wanted to try my hand at something “different” for this new year. So armed with my trusty tripod, selfie light, new make up, new bedding and a lux velvet set I bought as a Christmas gift to myself, I figured it was time to try something way, way outside of my comfort zone – my own boudoir shoot. Continue reading

About Moths and Roses (Let’s Talk About Age and Style)

I’m 29, turning 30 in May. Honestly, I’ve only just gotten used to being “so young with so much responsibility” and the idea that I am getting to the age in which most people have themselves more established is horrifying considering the fact that I’m still so far away from where I expected to be at this point. Added to that, I can’t help but notice that my style doesn’t exactly read as “responsible adult” or “age appropriate” at all times.  I mean, what is a 30 year old even supposed to look like?

Continue reading

SHEIN Mini-Haul & Review

This year marks the 5th year anniversary of the blog and in celebration of this milestone I’m incorporating some new kinds of content like this review/haul video as this is the kind of content that has been asked of me to create since I first launched the blog back in 2015. So to start this new series, I did some shopping at SHEIN. It honestly was seeing so many of my co-workers in outfits from there that made me want to give this brand a try. It is much cheaper than most retailers especially when it comes to plus size offerings.   Check out what I got in my latest video below. Continue reading

It’s Sweater(Dress)Weather!

The  temperature in NYC has finally begun to drop and I’m super excited because this means I finally get a chance to wear some of my favorite (cozy)pieces from my closet – my sweater dresses!  A sweater dress is an essential fall/winter season piece to have as it is the easiest way be chic and warm. I recently purchased this striped sweater dress over the summer at Charming Charlie during their closing out sale for only $12 (It was originally $42, always shop out of season for great deals!) and I have been looking forward to wearing it ever since. Because of the print and the bow details on the bell sleeves, I just added a simple scarf that matched the pink stripe, ankle booties and a jewel-toned lip color.

And just in case you’re in the market for a new sweater dress this season,  be sure to check out my list of favorites below. Everything on the list is less than $40 (not including shipping. Be sure to jump on these soon as a few are even marked lower due to it being Cyber Monday today.   Happy shopping!

Continue reading

My Summer 2019 Favorites

Though I have been MIA on the blog this summer, that hasn’t really stopped me from doing some shopping and trying some new things in hopes that I would be back here to report on it. Sure this is Labor Day weekend which is an unofficial sign that summer is coming to an end, yet there is a chance you may be able to shop some of these on sale to stock up for next summer.

Disclaimer: This is NOT a sponsored post.

1. Supergoop! Everyday Sunscreen For Face & Body

After the horrible summer burn of 2017, I’ve learned the hard way that my melanin alone will not protect me from the harsh rays of the sun. Yes, you would think that would be obvious but I honestly for may people of color it is not. So I asked my friend, the make-up and skincare maven, Stephanie, to help me find a product that I could use for both everyday and for the beach. During a trip to Sephora, she highly recommended I try Supergoop! and I’m glad that I took her advice. This sunscreen is non-greasy as well as sweat, and waterproof.  It also very light and doesn’t leave any white residue making it great to use under your makeup.

Continue reading