Hey everyone,

I'm trying to decide what direction I want to take my blog in this summer, and I felt it only right to start with something I'm rather interested in: skincare. 

For those curious, I've always struggled with highly sensitive skin. Depending on the products I use, I can feel like my skin is on fire! This isn't just on my arms and legs but on my face as well. This is what makes shopping for skincare so difficult, because I can spend upwards of $20 on something that could very well make my skin feel like its engulfed in flames!

If I had to categorize my skin, I would say it's dry and sensitive. I don't suffer from acne, or redness, really, and don't have any problems with oily skin. Really, if it wasn't so dry in Colorado my only problem would be the difficulty that comes with finding the right products. In Hawaii my skin is great, but now that I'm home this isn't the case. In todays post I'm going to share my top five holy grail products that I use day-to-day, oftentimes twice a day. 

HOLY GRAIL ITEM ONE: DR. BELMEUR MOISTURIZER 

My first holy grail, and quite honestly my favorite, is the Dr. Belmeur moisturizer. I have found that this moisturizer is very gentle on the skin and is not oily in the slightest. The product itself is a bright white color and goes on very smoothly, and doesn't leave any white marks behind. It is fast absorbing and has a faint smell that is clean, not perfumed. The price is the biggest downside, as it can be upwards of $30 for one 4oz bottle. One application a day is enough for Hawaiian humidity, but in Colorado I've found that I have to apply it first thing in the morning and after my night routine. However, for as long as I've been using it (about 6 months) I haven't had to buy another bottle, so for that reason I can justify the price. 

https://www.theurbanumbrella.com/dr-belmeur-daily-repair-collection-review/

HOLY GRAIL ITEM TWO: SECRET KEY ALOE TONER

Secret Key is actually a brand that I was gifted with, not one that I found on my own. Because it was  a gift, I was hesitant to try it out simply because I wasn't sure how the product would react to my skin. It turns out that this toner is very compatible with my sensitive skin! In the past I've found toner to cause my skin to breakout (especially snail essence) but this toner has done the opposite of that. On the rare time that I do break out, this toner is gentle enough to not irritate the mark and cause any more damage. I use this product every morning after I cleanse my skin and find that it takes a little time to absorb into the skin, but a little goes a long way! The aloe isn't overbearing and the liquid is a clear color, not green, making me feel even more comfortable about what I'm putting on my skin. The price is also a good feature, as you're getting a lot for what you pay for! The bottle I have is about 10 ounces and can be purchased for $15. 



HOLY GRAIL ITEM THREE: COSRX LOW PH GOOD MORNING GEL CLEANSER 

A recent purchase that I can tell is going to be on my bathroom counter for years! I typically stick to either the Simple gel cleanser or the aloe cleanser from the face shop, but I recently decided to splurge and go with this cleanser instead. I don't regret it. I can't really tell you what it is about this product (is it the list of ingredients that I can't read? is it the simple packaging? is it the fancy title?) and we might never know, but I do know this: this product is a gel cleanser that foams immediately upon coming in contact with water. I know that dry skin is advised to stay away from foaming cleansers, and I can see why, because after drying my face it feels very tight. However, the cleanser has done what it says and doesn't overly irritate my skin and is a very refreshing choice for my morning routine. While it's a bit on the pricier side, at $11, I do believe that you get quite a lot of product. The gel itself is clear and the smell is a bit off-putting, but not to the point where you would want to discontinue use. It's not necessarily a bad smell, but just a different one. Perhaps its a more intense "clean" smell? Whatever it is, I've certainly never smelled anything like it.



HOLY GRAIL ITEM FOUR: THE FACE SHOP CALMING SUN CREAM 

Sunscreen is something of a necessity for those of us who live in Hawaii, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't still use it if you don't live on the island! Many different types of light can cause skin damage, and wearing sunscreen can help prevent more damage. I have some reservations when it comes to using Korean sunscreen, because I've found that many of them contain whitening ingredients and often leave a white residue. While the Nature Republic Soothing Sunscreen has some of these properties, I've found that it does a very good job of protecting my skin and cover up previous sun spots. I tend to use it sparingly, and while the bottle itself is only an ounce, it has lasted a good while. Because I don't like the white residue, I find that a little goes a long way with this product. After applying my moisturizer I will go back in with a few dots of sunscreen and call it good. This is especially good for those days at the beach, as it has never left my skin feeling burnt or red. This product has done amazingly at protecting my skin. 



HOLY GRAIL ITEM FIVE: REAL BARRIER EXTREME CREAM MASK

Holy moly is this one a favorite. Another product that I was gifted is this set of moisturizing face masks. Like I said, being home has caused my skin to dry out faster than when in Hawaii, so I will take anything I can to try and combat this. I've found these masks to have so much moisture that I can save the excess and use the remaining liquid for up to three days. The scent is very unique, it's clearly a very clean smelling mask, but the moisture gives it more of an herbal smell. What I love is that you can wear this mask for 15 minutes, 20 minutes, even 30 minutes, and still have a face covered in lotion. When I say to you that this mask is moisturizing, that is not an understatement! I used one while in Hawaii and found that my skin was baby smooth the next day, a little too moisturized to apply the leftover essence, but upon coming home I use the leftover as a morning and evening moisturizer. How cool?! You might see the price and be a bit turned off by the cost versus what you're getting ($25 for 5 masks) but keep in mind that these masks are chalk full of product and are very gentle on sensitive skin. In my eyes they're worth it. 




I hope you learned a little bit while reading this post. The unfortunate thing about having sensitive skin is that I don't get the luxury (or have the money to try) of experimenting with different products, but when I find a product that works I stick to it. These products have been tried and tested and I can confidently say that anyone, no matter the skin type, could use these products. For the record, I tend to shy away from western skin care, as I've found many brands value money over product, and the result will be a product full of hard-to-pronounce chemicals that leave my skin scarred and red. I prefer Korean skincare (and soon to be Chinese!) due to the fact that I admire the time they put into their products and have found them to be better for my skin overall. My advice is to stick to who you know and don't always try new products. Every once and a while a new cleanser is good, but make sure you check the ingredients and read up on those reviews! They will most definitely pay off in the long run. 

Until next time,

Aislinn 

Hey everyone,

I have been up to quite a lot since we last talked! I have spent the weekend in Boulder, the day in Fort Collins, and a long weekend in Granby. Because I figured it easier to talk briefly about each place, instead of making three separate posts I'm going to cover them all in this one.

Let's start with Boulder!

Last weekend my mom, sister, and I went to Boulder with the hopes of meeting up with a family friend. While we were there, naturally, the plans fell through but we didn't let this stop us from taking advantage of the time we had left! We did, after all, drive an hour and a half to be there, so why not walk around and enjoy the nice weather?



Pearl Street is a place we're all rather familiar with, and so much of this evening was spent admiring more of the shops and their summer displays and less time spending money. It just so happened that while we were enjoying the town that it became golden hour, and soon everything turned a nice warm golden shade.




Moving on to Fort Collins..

For someone who loves to travel I think you would all be surprised to know that I've never been farther north than Boulder. Shocking, right? I guess it has a lot to do with never having been interested in going anywhere that far north, but this past Sunday was an exception.

Fort Collins is about two hours from where I live and about 30 miles from the Colorado and Wyoming border. After getting there, my parents and I decided to walk around Horsetooth Reservoir for a bit and then see what Old Towne is like.



With Colorado State being in the same town as Fort Collins, it's very clear that this is a very typical college town. Boulder is, too, but in it's own way. I would actually argue that Fort Collins is more of a college town, but is also a good place for families based on how many we saw there. Boulder is much more expensive, so I would bet that after graduation many students don't continue to live in Boulder, whereas I get the feeling many in Fort Collins do.




Now all about Granby!

Granby is west, at only about two hours and thirty minutes away from where I live. It's in-between Fraser and Winter Park, and can easily be mistaken as one of those "drive through" towns. There are plenty of hikes one can choose to do (We did Jim Creek as well as Monarch Lake) as well as plenty of lakes where one can fish, kayak, or swim. While we didn't do that, we did take advantage of the trails in the area and tried our hardest to see some wildlife.






Now that we're home, it almost feels strange to be leaving again. As I get ready for my next trip, I can't help but feel as if I'm not actually going. I don't really remember what Boston is like, so going reminds me of how I felt the first time I went to Hawaii. I can only hope that my time in Boston is like my time spent in the Rockies: relaxing yet packed with activities!


Until next time,

Aislinn

Hey everyone!

I've been home for three weeks now and felt it to be rather fitting that I share with everyone my plans for this summer and what I have done since being home! 

I want to start with the biggest things happening this summer. Typically I don't do much traveling just because my family is both big and busy. However I am lucky enough to be traveling not only in Colorado but to different states this summer. How exciting!

First my family and I are going to spend a long weekend in the mountains. Last summer, if you recall, we went to Vail and Breckenridge. This summer we're going to a place called Granby, near Fraser and Winter Park. We've only been to this part of the mountains once, so I think we're all pretty excited to go back and see what we can do-- this time in the summer. 

Second, I'm going to be flying to Boston later this month to spend a weekend with my cousin and uncle. I'm so excited to be going somewhere new to me and am not embarrassed at all to admit that I already have a pretty extensive itinerary moving forward. I've only been to Boston once and it was during middle school, so I'm really looking forward to going back and seeing everything again. 

Third is something that is small to many but huge to me: I got a haircut!

Pause. 

Yes, a haircut is something that many people find to be not that big of a deal, but would you still think that way when you found out how many inches I got taken off? That's right, I got a total of six inches cut and could not be happier with the way it turned out. Truth be told, short hair is something so liberating and is what I feel to be the best look for me. My first time I got my hair cut "short" was right before starting college, and while it was a complete accident, I would be lying if I said I didn't immediately fall in love with it. It was something I would not have chosen for myself, but is a look I get excited for every time I go to get my hair done (which is always before and after the school year). 

As you can see, I chopped quite a bit off! I love this length of hair and how healthy it looks, so odds are I'm going to go for this length after I return from studying abroad.

Now onto the smaller things!

One of the biggest smaller things (contradictory much?) is getting back into working. I'm not going to lie, this has been a really difficult transition for me because of how long it has taken as well as how difficult it has been to get in contact with management. Because of how tedious and frustrating this has been I have actually started applying to other places in hopes to have options. In the end I know things will work out, but I do wish that things would speed up so I could, at the very least, enjoy what I'm doing. 

Another smaller thing has been the updates regarding study abroad. While I had my reservations about going to China, I do think it's going to be a really fun experience. I was originally very nervous to be going and taking such an intense course load, but I have told myself that I want to, above all, enjoy myself and try and take in as much as I can while there. No, this doesn't mean I'm going to go out every night, and if I'm honest I don't plan on going out at all, but rather, I don't want to miss out or regret on doing or seeing anything. If I want to go to Shanghai Disney then I'm going to go to Shanghai Disney! If I want to spend an afternoon sipping on coffee inside the worlds largest Starbucks than I'm going to do just that. Shanghai is too big of a city not to explore and I cannot wait to share with everyone what I get up to while there. 

The third, and last small thing, was the satisfaction from finding out my grades from this past semester. First semester was my worst one yet, but I am proud of myself for picking myself off of the floor and sweeping my grades this semester. I got all A's and one B+, and could not be happier. This is my best gpa yet and feel so proud of myself. 

With all of this being said, I'm thankful to enjoy the time I have back home and look forward to three months of relaxation. 

Until next time,

Aislinn

Hey guys!

Now that I'm home, and have quite some time until I leave, I really wanted to find more low-key, inexpensive ways to enjoy my time here while home. I understand that this is something unrelated to Hawaii, and is most definitely something that I've never done before on this blog, but nonetheless I hope everyone takes a little something away from it.

Here are 3 fun and inexpensive crafts to do either independently or with others! I hope you enjoy.

Craft One: A Simple Twist On a Photo Frame

The first project I attempted is a simple revamp of two old picture frames. Funny enough, I did this project the second day I was home, and I really think it set the tone for how the rest of my summer is going to be.

• Old picture frames
• String of choice (I opted for twine!)
• A stack of pictures, polaroid preferred
• Tiny clothes pins
• Gorilla glue

    First, remove the backing of your photo frames and take out the glass. You should have nothing but the frame itself. Next, measure out the length of string you need. It's helpful to make the string not go all the way to the outer edge of the frame, because the line will become too taut. Instead, I made my string go about halfway on both sides, and this left the string nice and tight. Before you begin glueing, double check that the photos will be at a far enough length apart that they won't be overlapping or touching any edges.
   After double-checking with your photos you can now begin to glue. This is the part that will take the longest because you will need to wait for the glue to dry before anything else can happen. However, a neat trick is to tape the end of the string to the frame so that you don't need to wait for one end to dry; tapping each end will allow you to glue them all down at once!
   Once the glue is dried now the fun begins! Take your pictures and arrange them in the order most preferred and begin clipping with the tiny pins. The nice thing about this project is that no two frames will be alike, as my frame is going to be different from yours, etc. This means that you could have three photos on a line, like myself, or as many as 10! Personally I think less is more for this fun project, but you have complete liberty to do what you please.
   With the photos strung, you will find that as you lift the frame they will begin to flip upside down. This is normal, so don't stress out about the staying put. What matter is how they look on the wall, not in your hands!
   The final step is either hanging the frame on the wall or placing it on a desk or shelf instead. To show you the different options, I've posted two examples below. The first is my frame on my bookshelf and the second is one on my wall. Personally I like them more on the wall, but again its up to you! I also think they look super cute on a bookshelf or desk, as I've shown below. 




Craft Two: Macrame (or "String Designs")

   String designs, or 'macrame', has become a quick summer essential. However, the price for some of these pieces has always left me a bit unsettled. Stores like Urban Outfitters have inspired me to save the $50 I could spend on this art and instead spend $10 to make it myself. Plus, what cooler way to make a space more unique than by creating the item myself?

• One wooden dowel 
• Cord for the string (4mm recommended!) 

   See how simple this craft is? You only need two things and a good half hour to finish this art. The knot you decide to tie is all up to you, but I opted for one of the more simple knots: the square knot.
  Because the product you will end with varies person to person, there is no way to really explain how you begin this project. Instead, I will insert a picture below of what mine looks like. I found that using 5mm string has its ups and downs, primarily because there simply wasn't enough string in the spool! I do plan on adding more so that my art has some depth. For now, this is what it looks like:

What is fun about this craft is that you can do as little, or as much, as you would like! For me, I'm rather unsatisfied with this and will be adding more to it later. Let me know if you try it out!


Craft Three: Scrapbooking

Have a lot of photos that are too big for your space or that don't yet have a space? If that is you than don't worry, this craft is for you! Scrapbooking, or even just memory keeping, is a fun way to keep your photos alive for years to come. For me, I have tons of pictures from Maui and throughout this school year that I really want to commemorate, and I'm going to be soon making a scrapbook to preserve them. If this is something that interests you, try and pintrest or google some cute ways to get started! Tip: Michaels always has a 50% off coupon on their website, use this as a tool to motivate you getting started!


So there they are, the three crafts I will be working on this summer. For now, as you've seen, I have two done and will soon start on the third. I'm always open to new ideas, though, so leave a comment on my post if there's something you recommend I try!

Until next time,

Aislinn

Hey guys!

I hinted at this post a little while back on my instagram and am happy to share with you guys my take on the three hotels I had the pleasure of staying at while on Oahu over the past year. 

For record, I'm going to be discussing the hotels I stayed at while during the school year, not the ones I stayed at before. I will also not be including the hotel I stayed at in Maui simply because I want this post to focus more on Oahu hotels!

Hotel One: VIVE Hotel

Located on more of the outer edge of the Waikiki strip, VIVE Hotel is a great option for those looking to not pay those Waikiki prices but still want to enjoy parts of the area. Out of all the hotels this is the one closest to the zoo, no more than a 10 minute walk, closest to the pier, and treats their guests to a continental breakfast. Like all places, this hotel has their fair share of pros and cons.

1. Very cost efficient 
2. Not a very noisy area
3. Free breakfast included in stay (along with supplies for the ocean such as umbrellas)

Overall I would recommend the VIVE hotel for those who are looking to experience a modestly priced Waikiki. If you don't mind walking a bit to get to the beach or the strip then this hotel might just be one you consider staying at! Be warned, some people have complained that the views of the hotel are not that great. While the view in my room wasn't spectacular I think it's nice to keep in mind that you're really going to be in your room only to sleep, so the view shouldn't make or break your stay. 



Hotel Two: Hyatt Centric Waikiki

The Hyatt Regency is conveniently located only one block away from the main strip and is equally as close to the International Marketplace. The hotel itself is huge, and the rooms mirror that exactly. Our room in particular had a lot of natural light which made the room appear so much brighter than other rooms I've stayed at. The pool is a cute splashed and one of the perks in this hotel is free printing! For those interested This hotel is much more different than the VIVE, so let's compare the pro's and the con's:

Pros:

1. Large rooms with an equally as spacious bathroom.
2. Thicker walls than VIVE, but you can still hear the music from the room next door.
3. No valet-- you park yourself!

Cons:

1. Much more expensive, but you're paying for the upgrade.
2. Loud location due to where the hotel is in Waikiki.
3. No breakfast included.

As you can probably tell, the cons are much more objective than the previous hotel. In the Hyatt Regency you will most definitely feel relaxed and at home, but if you're not comfortable paying the price that comes with staying so close to Waikiki than I would reconsider staying in this hotel. 





Hotel Three: The Surfjack

First things first, The Surfjack is a boutique hotel. This means that if you're looking for an aesthetically pleasing hotel that has an attached coffee shop and tailors to some of the more wealthier tourists then you should consider staying at The Surfjack. Right next door to the hotel, connected to it, actually, is the Olive & Oliver coffee shop. Inside you can purchase coffee and cute accessories for yourself or others. The pool is also stunning, but definitely not the size of other hotel pools. Don't let that stop you though, because the inside of the rooms are bright with color, but not so much natural light. 

Pros:

1. Boutique hotels equal lots of cute and unique photo opportunities. They also mean you're competing with others to get that perfect shot (a potential con).
2. Centrally located just a few blocks from the beach and next to plenty of other cute shops.
3. Extremely quite location at night.

Cons:

1. A bit pricey and, for better or for worse, you could find yourself in a different suite than what you wanted because of a "surprise upgrade".
2. For a boutique hotel you are bound to be surprised by the amount of kids at this hotel. This could be a deal breaker for those of you wanting to relax by the pool during the day.
3. Towel (pool & beach) access is limited. You are allowed to check only one out at a time and are given a special card to check out the towel. I've never been to a hotel that has done this before.

For those aiming for a nice, comfy stay with a cute pool and coffee literally next door, I would recommend this hotel. If you're trying for something just as cute but a little more open, keep reading!




Hotel Four: The Laylow 

The Laylow is a low-key hotel hidden in-between the International Marketplace and the Hyatt Centric Waikiki. This hotel is chic and has plenty of natural sunlight. The pool is interesting because it is spacious yet seating is limited. The hotel has 16 floors, and while I'm sure the top floor has a good view, you're unlikely to see the skyline because of your options: a carpark or the pool. Lucky for me I had the view of the carpark. 

Pros: 

1. Perfect location that is close to the strip and the marketplace.
2. Coffee shop & restaurant are all located in the lobby. Breakfast is not included but it sure is delicious!
3. Quiet floors and (I'm assuming) thick walls.

I loved my time at the Laylow, although if I had to bet I would say this was the most expensive hotel trip I was on. For those of you considering staying on Oahu I would really try and take advantage of the deals and discounts. Each of these hotels was expensive, and things like "resort fees" and "valet parking" will bring the cost up more than you would expect. If you live, serve, or study in Hawaii I would recommend purchasing under the Kama'aina rate, although some hotels don't accept this. Military is also worth trying for! 



I hope this post either inspired you or encouraged you to visit the island of Oahu. Any other information you would like to know? Leave a comment and I would love to answer those questions for you!

Until next time,

Aislinn

Hey everyone,

Is it shocking to everyone that we are in our last month here at Manoa? In response to how much I have learned, grown, and been challenged this past year, I want to commemorate my time as a sophomore in the best way that I know how: by sharing with you all the lessons I have learned. To supplement this post I will also be using some photos I have never shared in posts. I hope you all enjoy.

...


You might remember a post a while back where I summed up my brief time at Manoa during my freshmen year. Looking back, the difference one year can make is huge. It feels like such a long time ago and I feel as if I have aged so much in only one year. In this post I hope to take you all back as we read about my second year, my sophomore year, on this little rock in the Pacific. 

My first semester was when I truly learned who I am and what I want. I discovered passions of mine and tampered a bit in subjects I was interested in. I changed majors, twice, and declared a minor. I excelled in learning my third language (second if you don't count English) and began to become what I would call an avid news junkie. I became very interested in the news and the world around me and even attended the gay pride festival in Honolulu. I visited my third Hawaiian Island, Maui, and drove the road to Hana twice. I ate Kalua pork out of a tea leaf and drank starbucks matcha lattes every day. At night I would stay out for hours under the stars at Kahala beach, playing with bioluminescence and falling asleep to the sound of the waves. I was scared to go home and scared to go to class. I sought help. I moved out of my old home and into my new one. I spent Christmas with my family and Daniel, who very much feels like family. 





My second semester I began to take more classes I liked and less that I didn't. I listened to myself and put my health first. I went to the gym every day and tried out yoga. I reached a state of peace I had never felt before. I looked at myself and one day I realized that my hard work at the gym was paying off; putting myself first for one hour a day changed my health and my confidence. I began to read more of the news and follow more podcasts that interest me. I explored more about the Korean language and found that I absolutely loved class. I explored temples, beaches, and food shacks. I took pictures, flew drones, and ran miles. I hiked new hikes, met new people, but I still felt like something was missing. I went to church, started devotionals, and began to invest myself more into my faith. I spent more time under the sun and less time inside, something that the older residents at my summer job used to encourage me to do. I befriended my roommates and let go of the pain from last semester. I felt at home and I knew that I was making progress. I took blogging more seriously and began to increase my presence online. I gained the start of a following and found a community online. I applied to study abroad and I got accepted. I made plans for the summer, the semester, and my future. 








The person I have become is one who is happy, confident, and knows she is cared for. I am so fortunate to have spent the past year on this little rock, and while I have had times where I have felt that I do not belong, I have used that as motivation to push me to try harder. Because of this push, or this drive, I am now someone who will be graduating early. I know exactly what I want and will do my best to get it. I hope that throughout this past year that you have seen this person reflected in my posts. I am leaving this year confident that I am where I am supposed to be and have done all that I can do. 

Until next time,

Aislinn