Author Archives: Cyrillynn

Paperless Post: Adding a Personal Touch to Online Stationery

Since moving to Arizona, I’ve been thinking about how to communicate to all of our friends and family about where we are in our new home state. I’m actually glad I waited, because we are in the process of purchasing our new home and will be on the move again! I would like to communicate our new address by sending both an actual card, as well as online communication for those who we do not have a physical address for.

I was recently introduced to Paperless Post, a company that designs customizable online stationery. They believe that the connection between people is important, regardless of the medium. What’s also great is that it’s quite easy to get started! I began by creating an account and getting set up. Once I’m truly ready to send out our moving announcements, I’ll fill in the address book with contacts.

Paperless Post has so many choices of stationery styles, types, and designers. One of my favorites is the Kate Spade designs, because they’re so simple yet quirky and elegant. Although Paperless Post has hundreds of free choices, premium cards and premium upgrades are available for a nominal cost through coins, that can be purchased in packages.

The cards are adorable and fully customizable! I sent a practice card to myself to try it out. The card color variation, font, envelope interior, and background can all be changed to fit your needs, and the way they’re delivered is so much fun!

Since our move will be happening pretty soon, I’ll be browsing through all of the amazing choices at Paperless Post, cheers!

FTC Disclosure: I received the product in exchange for a product review. Although I did receive product, the opinions in this post are strictly my own.

Voyage Phoenix Feature!

I know it’s been awhile, but I promise I’ve got some good posts to put up in the next few weeks!

First up: I was featured in an online magazine called Voyage Phoenix, where they highlight inspiring people in the Phoenix, Scottsdale & Tempe areas, including cities like Chandler, Gilbert and Mesa. Both myself and Susan from Styles Revealed have a feature, and we’re talking about how we got started as influencers, and how we balance blogging with work, our families and life in general. It was awesome to be included in such esteemed company. Thank you Voyage Phoenix for the feature!

http://voyagephoenix.com/interview/conversations-inspiring-cyrillynn-chen/

Brushing Up With Beautiac

Believe it or not, I only recently started to realize the importance of ensuring I have clean make-up brushes! I think I just took it for granted that because I’m the only one using my brushes and I use colors so minimally that I don’t need to clean or change them often. Having blogger/vlogger friends who specialize in beauty has really made me aware of not just make-up how-to’s, but maintenance and sanitation.

Enter Beautiac: An ethical and environmentally conscious company who has developed a system where the subscriber will never have to clean any make-up brushes ever again! I was honored to try out their VIP package (pictured below), which includes three disposable brush heads (foundation, powder & blush), three universal handles, a dye-free blur sponge, an antimicrobial safe bag and smart make-up brush stand.

The brush heads snap on and off very easily, which should make monthly maintenance quick and simple. The brushes themselves are soft and holds any foundation or powder very well. The brush stand not only holds all of my new Beautiac brushes, but also fits all of my smaller, finer brushes. I’ve traveled back and forth to San Diego from Chandler in the time I have been trying out these Beautiac brushes, and the antimicrobial safe bag is so handy, and I get peace of mind knowing they’re safe when I’m in hotel rooms.

Finally, Beautiac has incorporated the “4 Quadrants” as a part of their social cause initiative: Environment, Cruelty Free, Women Empowerment and Health & Wellness (which you can read about here). An important aspect to me was the Environment Quadrant, because it explains how they recycle their brush heads through TerraCycle’s Zero Waste Box Program.

For those who want to participate in this wonderful subscription box through Beautiac, you can use the code ANY10 at check out and get 10% off!

Cheers and have a wonderful weekend!

FTC Disclosure: I received the product in exchange for a product review. Although I did receive product, the opinions in this post are strictly my own.

Inspired & Organic: Quench Naturel

At the end of last year, I was introduced to a wonderful line of all natural face, body and hair products called Quench Naturel. The co-founders launched their new Sweet Moringa collaboration at beautiful Singh Meadows in Tempe, and I was invited to preview this new line. It was a lovely evening of sips, eats, and getting to know the Quench Naturel products.

The Sweet Moringa line is a collaboration between Quench Naturel and Singh Meadows, using Singh honey and Moringa powder to create a line that is moisturizing and nourishing.

I have been using the Quench Naturel products since December of last year, and the results have been simply amazing! My favorite products by far are the Get Whipped Body Souffle and the Sweet Moringa Botanical Body Mousse. Both have butters and oils that penetrate dry skin and restore moisture. I had come to my wits end regarding my feet because I have tried everything to moisturize and heal them. In a desperate and last ditch attempt before seeking professional help, I used the Get Whipped Body Souffle on my feet. In the first week of use, the dry skin completely disappeared and the cracks on my heels have completely healed!

Another favorite is the lip balm, and I was given the Sweet Moringa Emerald Honey Lip Quench. In this dry Arizona heat, the Lip Quench is a staple in my everyday make-up routine, whether alone or under a lipsick or gloss. I have also tried the Sweet Lip Scrub, which tastes as good as it works!

Not only is Quench Naturel an ethical company who believes in sustainability, they also do not test on animals. Additionally, their products contain all natural ingredients, and they are very transparent about what they use, listing them all on their site, along with their benefits (here). Being that my skin is very sensitive, I need products that will not cause irritation and I am so happy that I have finally found products that work with my needs!

Eyes of Ginger, Tears of Lime: Mixing it up With Moscow Muled

Living in Arizona means living through some interesting weather. I was so used to moderately hot summers and mildly cold winters in San Diego, my wardrobe never truly changed much, let alone how I kept myself cool or warm.

That all has changed now that I’m in Arizona. The winds were pretty biting in my neck of the woods (or desert) during the fall and winter, and now we’re already experiencing very warm weather, and it’s only spring. Just this week in Chandler, temperatures have reached up to at least 82 degrees!

With hot weather on the way, I’ve been thinking about ways to keep cool. We hydrate all the time with water, but sometimes my palate needs something a bit different. Being that I’ve gotten creative with meals lately, it would be logical to follow that I should get creative with drink recipes as well!

I received these beautiful mugs recently from Moscow Muled, a company who specializes in making 100% copper mugs, which are plated with nickel on the interior, for the perfect Moscow Mule. Additionally, Moscow Muled donates 15% of their profits to several non-profit organizations that work to stop impaired driving.

The folks at Moscow Muled have a recipe for the Ultimate Moscow Mule, which I decided to make sans alcohol. Although I enjoy the occasional libation, it’s not something I would drink on a regular basis. I love how refreshing a Moscow Mule tastes, so this mocktail version will give me all the taste I want, without the dizzying effects after!

I found this great recipe on Like Mother, Like Daughter (below) which is nearly the same as the Ultimate Moscow Mule recipe, but replaces the premium vodka with club soda and simple syrup. The result: an incredibly refreshing Moscow Mule mocktail alternative! Moscow Muled has some other great drink recipes to try, such as The Kumbucha Mule, the Mexican Mule and the White Russian Mule, all which can be found on their blog here.

My best friend is in town this week, so maybe we’ll try a few of these recipes, which I can serve perfectly in my new Moscow Muled copper mugs!

NON ALCOHOLIC MOSCOW MULE

Ingredients:

1 lime (1-2 tablespoons juice, fresh is best)
1 TBS simple syrup
1/4 cup club soda
3-4 mint leaves (torn, optional)
3/4 cup Ginger Beer
crushed ice

Instructions:

In the bottom of cup, pour juice from lime, simple syrup and club soda.
Add mint leaves if desired.
Fill the cup about half way with ice.
The pour about 3/4 a cup of ginger beer over the ice.
Garnish with mint leaves and a lime wedge if desired, and serve.

FTC Disclosure: I received the product in exchange for a product review. Although I did receive product, the opinions in this post are strictly my own.

Post title is from a song called “Claymation” by Sister Suvi

Phoenix Fashion Week: Spring Into Style 2019

This Saturday is Phoenix Fashion Week’s “Spring into Style” event, showcasing six top Arizona stylists with six runway shows, and one stylist will win “Stylist of the Year”. There will also be pop-up shops, beauty product samples, sips and treats. I’ll be there as well, with fellow San Diego Style Blogger, Susan of Styles Revealed, who recently moved to Chandler! Tickets can still be purchased at www.SpringIntoStyle2019.eventbrite.com, and range from $50 to $125.

Featured stylists include:
• Ashley Paige – 80’s Fashion
• Beth Yohanny – White on White
• Braden Conwell – Utility
• Candace Carter – Monochrome
• Jazmine Nash – All Doll’d Up
• Timothy Boado – Men’s Box Suits

In the meantime, here are some pictures from last year’s Phoenix Fashion Week 2018 runway shows, including what I wore each night. Cheers!

Tiffany of Glitz and Glam by Tiff, interviewing designer, Qmulative

My favorite gown by designer Svetik Haute Couture (photos by Tiffany)

Getting interviewed by model, Bianca Mead, for Cox Media

Cave Tools Meat Injector Review

Sorry for the long wait between posts! I’m still trying to balance the best way to schedule my blogging with my home based job, and I can tell you I’m still figuring it out!

I mentioned back in December in my “Absolutely Last Minute Gift Guide” that my husband, Deon, tried out the Cave Tools Stainless Steel Meat Injector. After Deon followed a delicious new recipe, the pork tenderloin turned out to be juicy and flavorful, all made easier by using the Cave Tools Meat Injector!

*My husband found this recipe on The Spruce Eats for their “Easy Pork Injection Marinade*“.

*Deon liked the different choices of gauges for the injector*

To purchase your own Cave Tools Stainless Steel Meat Injector, click the links below AND, you can get 15% off with the following code!

Discount code: INJECTOR15

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/s/s/ref=sr_nr_p_89_13?fst=as%3Aoff&rh=n%3A1055398%2Cn%3A284507%2Cn%3A289754%2Cn%3A760358%2Ck%3Ameat+injector%2Cp_89%3ACave+Tools&keywords=meat+injector&ie=UTF8&qid=1536814943&rnid=2528832011&ajr=1&tag=mdmrare-20

Cave Tools: https://cavetools.com/products/marinade-meat-injector-kit

FTC Disclosure: I received the product in exchange for a product review. Although I did receive product, the opinions in this post are strictly my own.

Absolutely Last Minute Holiday Gift Guide 2018: THE ARIZONA EDITION!

I’m back to posting again, and what better way to usher in a holiday post with the return of the “Absolutely Last Minute Gift Guide”! As mentioned in previously, we live in Chandler, which I recently found out is the fourth largest city in Arizona. The picture above is of the Tumbleweed Christmas Tree located in Downtown Chandler, which is a five minute drive from our house. Now that I’m officially outside of California, three of the four suggestions in my gift guide are from The Grand Canyon State!

Sibley’s West

Located in Historic Downtown Chandler, Sibley’s West is a wonderful and truly unique souvenir shop. All of their items are only “From Arizona”, which is their mantra, sourcing artisans and companies based here. If you can’t visit their shop in Chandler, they have gift certificates available on their website and many fantastic gift items to choose from on their online shop.

One of my favorite items I recently purchased as a gift is a Travel Tea Set and loose leaf tea from Tea Royalty. Fortunately, I live right around the corner from Sibley’s, so I’m definitely going back and getting one for myself!

Quench Naturel

I was recently invited to an event at Singh Meadows in Tempe for the launch of Quench Naturel’s Sweet Moringa line. They use only all natural ingredients for their products, and everything is available on their online store. I will be providing a full review soon, but rest assured that all their products would make wonderful gifts!

QMULATIVE

I first heard about and met designer Quinlan of QMULATIVE at this year’s Phoenix Fashion Week (pictured above, being interviewed by my friend Tiffany of Glitz and Glam by Tiff). He was the 2017 Lifestyle Designer of the year at PHXFW, and is known for his AZ Pocket Tees (I’ll have my own soon, and will be sure to post pictures). His designs can either be purchased on his online shop, or in the Tucson area at shops like Why I Love Where I Live and Summit Hut.

Cave Tools

I have been working with Cave Tools for a few years now, having my husband Deon try out several of their wonderful products for cooking his delicious BBQ. Any of their products would make excellent gifts for that BBQ Pit Master in your life, and if you can’t decide on anything in their gift section, they also have gift certificates available.

We recently tried their Stainless Steel Meat Injector, and look out for how we used it for a recent grill session in an upcoming post!

(All pictures by me, except for the AZ Pocket Tee pictures provided by Quinlan of QMULATIVE)

Pardon the Interruption: Working for a Living

Life has added a new element to my routine, and I have spent the last couple of weeks incorporating it into my daily activities. I received a wonderful opportunity from my most recent employer to work from home, and I couldn’t be happier! Saving for a house requires more than just one income, and this new career opportunity will fit very nicely into our schedules.

We are wrapping up our holiday weekend tomorrow, heading back to Arizona from Las Vegas. But I will be on the road again at the end of the month to pick up my mom from San Diego and to begin the final stages of officially leaving my hometown.

We had a fantastic Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday, spending time and watching football with the family. Deon and I indulged a little during Black Friday sales and of course, patronized the local record store for Record Store Day. We’ll be heading out again for just a bit more shopping and getting lots of rest for the drive home on Sunday, stopping by Hoover Dam so Dominic can add another landmark to his adventures.

Hope everyone is having a beautiful holiday with friends and family!

(Image courtesy of First Baptist Columbia)

PHXFW 2018 Recaps: Media Day

I’m finally ready to share my pictures from this year’s Phoenix Fashion Week! It was definitely a whirlwind of fashion and fun, which all began with Media Day at Talking Stick Resort. I got the chance to meet some of the designers, models and people who have put together PHXFW in a relaxed atmosphere. Next week, I’ll break down each day, including what I wore!