Who is a New Yorker? Luis's Observations of New Yorkers - #1

hm vneck, levi skinnies, girl with a dragon tattoo cardigan,
zara faux leather, doc marten cutouts, alexander wang rocco bag

One thing I told my mother before saying my last goodbyes was that I'll never turn into a New Yorker. Now you may ask 'Who is a New Yorker?' or 'What kind of people are considered New Yorkers?' I decided that every week I will dedicated a post to what I see on the streets of New York and hopefully by the end of the summer come up with a list of qualifications of being a New Yorker. Well, from living in Manhattan for about a month and a couple days here is my first find.

1. Black is New Yorker's favorite color.

Photo Courtesy of The Sartorialist

No matter how many color options that are out there, black is a stable in any New Yorker's wardrobe. Rather be decked out in head to toe black or simply wearing some black pants and a white t-shirt. Black makes you look skinnier, according to some of my New Yorker co-workers.

It's funny because in my previous post I mentioned that I barely have anything in black or white. I'm a huge color fanatic and before coming to New York, my friend Amy Creyer of Chicago Street Style told me that New York can be really dull. Since she constantly is surrounded around Chicagoans, she mentioned that Chicagoans definitely love their color. I have to totally agree with her.

If I'm wearing an all black outfit, I love to pair it with at least one pop of color or POC. In this outfit above, I threw in a Topshop skull necklace to give the outfit a little bit of substance.

Photo Courtesy of The Sartoralist

You can also spice up an all black outfit with a bold jacket and crisp white shirt or throw in a statement skirt and a pair of Louboutins to stand out of the crowd.

Photo Courtesy of Chicago Street Style

I feel like everyone always says that you can't go wrong with an all black outfit, but I have to disagree. Sometimes you just have to dare to be different rather than playing it safe.

Especially in New York since there are swarms of people trying to do the same thing you're doing. I've never noticed how many people actually live in New York from different backgrounds, yet have very similar qualifications.

So watch out New Yorkers, I have my eye on you. 

Outfit Photos Courtesy of Majestic Disorder

H&M Men and Women's Autumn & Winter 2012 Lookbook

I was super excited to check my email this morning, because the H&M Men & Women's A/W 2012 lookbook videos just came out today. I know that we haven't even hit summer yet, but I have already started making my lists of what I want from this collection.

H&M, the powerhouse in providing trendy affordable clothing for a wide array of consumers, is debuting their sleek collection in early fall at select H&M stores.

I'm a huge fan of H&M Trend, because of how fashion forward the actual collection is. I was extremely disappointed when they took out the H&M Trend in the Chicago store, but now that I'm in New York I can buy it!




For Women:

Tons of lurex, metallics, bling bling, leathers (of course), and gold in this collection. I'm obsessed specifically with all of the sunglasses and the pumps. The silhouette and the actual form of the shoe is incredible, very minimal. I think that every girl should have a pair of sleek pumps. The cuts in this collection are amazing, because they range from short full skirts to baggy sweaters. Pretty much the A/W 2012 collection has a piece for everyone in it.




For Men:

It's all about mixing up a tailored pant with an oversized peacoat or vice versa. The colors range throughout the collection from forest greens to a firehouse red. Of course I have my eye on the 3 piece vibrant red suit with the yellow cardigan. Color in the fall? Perfect. All of the pieces in the A/W 2012 collection are very classic & versatile that can be worn in the fall, winter, and spring. Oh and totally keep your varsity jackets. It's the perfect layering piece for those cold winter nights.

Videos Courtesy of H&M

Happy Birthday Sister

I feel like I just graduated high school and am heading into the summer before my first year of college. Its weird to think that I'm going to be a sophomore in college and my sister is turning 16 today. Time definitely flies by so quickly.

My sister is an interesting person (just like every other teen girl). Sometimes she's the sweetest thing ever and the other times she's the crabbiest. Whether arguing about the latest fashion trends, whose better at what, or just being stupid, I love her to death. 

From our childhood experiences of us always fighting with each other or always teaming up to pester my little brother makes me think about how much I miss her. She's pretty much my everything, even though she can be such a pain in the butt all the time. 

Its hard to see her grow up so quickly. I remember when we were playing Barbie & Ken together or waiting outside of the limo to head to Walt Disney World, our favorite place in the world. The cliche statement is totally true, Time goes by when you're having fun. 

It just hurts me to think that I will be missing her Sweet 16 on Friday because I will be in New York working my butt off for my future. She knows that I'll be there in spirit and I'm sorry sis. 

Happy Birthday Sister, I love you tons. Oh and I'll see you soon. PROMISE.

A Peak Into My New York Closet

It was extremely difficult moving to New York with only half of my clothes, shoes, and bags. When I moved to New York, I brought 5 luggages that contained 18 pairs of shoes, plenty of pants, shirts, and of course underwear.

Coming from a huge apartment in Chicago to a small room with a miniature closet was extremely difficult. One thing I can say is that moving here has really made me appreciate what I have back in Chicago.

It's funny when people say that I'm such a pattern freak, because I totally agree with them. Whether it'd be Versace for H&M alligator patterned denim or a Marni at H&M patterned dot button up, I'm obsessed with patterns. As you guys know from my previous post that I have to wear only black & white at Lush, which is pretty much torture to me.

One thing I love about my apartment is the view. Even though it's not a view of the skyline, it's very refreshing to get some natural light in the room. I almost feel like Carrie from Sex and the City when sitting at my little desk, yet I'm not wearing Manolo Blahnik's.

I feel that accessories play an important role in my outfits. An oversized Lanvin for H&M bowtie can definitely turn a frumpy outfit into a super chic one.

My lovely Michael Kors watch & Versace for H&M bracelet that I'm obsessed with. 

And to finish off with a cute motivation sign that my roommates put up. LOVE it. 

Photos Courtesy of Majestic Disorder

Lush Cosmetics Obsession & Luis Turned Beauty Blogger?

As you guys know I'm a huge fanatic of Lush Cosmetics. I mean I'm such a die hard fan that I've been working for Lush for about a year. I've been using the products for about 4 1/2 years and I'm obsessed with everything. Okay maybe not everything, but close to it. Never heard of Lush Cosmetics? Be prepared to be addicted. 

If you've never heard of Lush Cosmetics that fine because since they don't advertise, most of the users find out through word of mouth. Neat uh?

Lush Cosmetics is not a makeup store, but more so you're one stop for everything fresh handmade bath, skincare, shower, and much more. 100% of their products are vegetarian and 89% of their products are vegan = amazing.  What I love most about their products is that all the ingredients are listed on the product and each product has a picture of the person who created the product, their name, the date they created product, and the expiration date. It's like a fresh food market, well almost!

I found out about Lush through looking up "Best Natural Skincare" on Google and I found so many videos & posts about how amazing Lush is. I started out with the fresh face mask 'Cosmetic Warrior' and ever since then I'm an addict.

It seems that everyone always ask what skincare products do I use daily. So here you go! 

For my cleanser I use Ultrabland as my daily cleanser, which removes ALL residue in its path. The cleanser has tons of almond oil for moisture, honey to nourish the skin, and rose water to help with redness. I think this has to be one of my favorite products, because its quick & easy and before I go to bed I don't even need to apply moisture. 

In addition to Ultrabland, I also use Lush's #1 product in the country... Ocean Salt! It's a deep exfoliation cleanser that can be used all over the body. I use this product about once or twice a week depending on how often I shave, because Ocean Salt is the amazing before shaving. It gives you a nice smooth palette to shave with. Ocean Salt contains two types of sea salt (coarse & fine), limes soaked in VODKA, and avocado butter. This is seriously a product that once you try it once, you'll be super addicted. I know I was.

The next step to my skincare routine is Eau Roma Water toner. I've tried tons of toners from Neutrogena to Proactive and all of them would burn my skin. I was scared to use a toner from Lush until I found out that they only use waters in their toners and no alcohol. Eau Roma Water is perfect for soothing the skin, balancing out the PH, and making prepping the skin for the moisturizer. There's two lovely ingredients - Rose & Lavender water. I found out that the toner will makes the moisturizer last twice as long, because when your skin is hydrated your skin accepts the essentials better from the moisturizer. 

The last to my daily skincare regime is my moisturizers, which I can't live without. I currently use Enzymion moisturizer for my t-zone area and Skin Shangri La for the rest of my face. I know its kind of weird to apply two moisturizers at the same time, but it does wonders for me since I have combination skin. 

Enzymion is Lush's mattifying moisturizer that has tons of lemon juice, papaya, and avocado oil to really supply the skin with moisture without making it oily. While Skin Shangri La is one of Lush's anti-aging moisturizers that helps with acne scaring and really nourishing the skin with tons of moisture without making the skin feel greasy. The #1 ingredient in Skin Shangri La is Queens of Hungary Water, which is a blend of Rosemary infused Vodka to help brighten up the face and tighten the face without feeling tight. Obsessed. 

Something I do probably once or twice a week is a face mask. I am currently addicted to Lush's Mask of Magnaminty because not only does it help with black heads and acne, but it also helps with migraines. This mask is filled with tons of rejuvenating ingredients such as Peppermint oil, Honey, Ground Aduki Beans, and Evening Primrose seeds. Whenever I put this mask on, I feel like I'm putting a heating pad on my face. It's probably one of the most relaxing things ever. I usually keep this mask on for about 8-10 minutes.

So I hope you guys definitely stop by your local Lush Cosmetics or check out their online website, because their products are incredible. Oh by the way... don't think I was endorsed or sponsored to do this posts, because I surely wasn't. I'm just extremely obsessed with the products!

Street Style WATCH OUT #6

1st Row: Guerreisms // 2nd Row: The Sartorialist // 3rd Row: Guerreisms 

4th Row: Chicago Street Style // 5th Row: Street Peeper // 6th Row: Face Hunter

7th Row: Street Peeper // 8th Row: The Sartorialist & Altamira

Bonding With The Roomie

urban outfitters shirt / forever 21 chinos / vintage blazer / uniqlo socks / hudson oxfords
marc jacobs bow tie / lanvin for h&m sunglasses / rebecca minkoff mac bag c/o wrigley

Everyday I think about how fortunate I am to be living in one of the most insane loveliest cities in the world, New York City. I still can't believe that I've been here for 2 weeks already and I still feel like I'm on a mini vacation. Everything has been going great especially my relationship with my roommates.

The story behind the apartment that I'm currently living at is that I was desperate and went through craiglist ads to find an inexpensive apartment that wasn't too far from SoHo. I was blessed to find an apartment that was just right, although not in the best neighborhood, but it's definitely an upcoming area (as most New Yorkers have told me).

I was told that I would be living with two other people, so a total of 3 people in the 3 bedroom apartment that is located in Manhattan. At the time, I was extremely nervous to meet the roommates because as you guys know... I wasn't a huge fanatic of my roommate when I lived in the dorms at UIC.

The time came when I finally met my roommates around two weeks ago and found out that they were completely different, yet super lovely.

One of my roommates, Andy, does ton of freelance jobs as a casting director for television shows and does comedian shows on the side. Ultimately he wants to become the next big comedian, but for now he's working his way up to the top of the ladder. The other, Jason, had studied film at Colombia University and is currently doing freelance jobs as a video editor for independent films.

Coming into the apartment, or what I like to call cubicle, I did not expect to become close with my roommates. I was wrong, because I instantly had a deep connection with Jason. Not exactly sure what was, but we quickly became close. I feel like I've known him for several years, yet I have only lived with him for two weeks.

 It's funny that we're always extremely busy and have completely different schedules. I work at Lush Cosmetics in SoHo 4 days a week and intern at Topman the other 3 days a week. It seems like we always mess each other. If I'm not working or interning he's working on editing a film and vice versa. Although we've only hung out several times, when we talk... we get deep.

Whether it's talking about relationship problems, work, or just life, we always acknowledge that we are living the life.

Photos Taken By Jason Alarcón