Day In the Life: College Student

Hi, friends!

I hope are staying safe and warm! If you are in a part of the country that is getting snow right now, I feel you! We started using our wood stove this past week because the heater went out, so that was fun!
I know this trend has been around for a while but I wanted to do my take on a Day In the Life! My days are kind of jumbled right now because our university is doing online classes right now due to the weather being so icky, but we’re going with it anyway!

Wake Up

I tend to get up anywhere from 7:30-8:30 depending on the morning. Like most people, I grab my phone to turn off my alarm and then I stay on my phone for roughly half an hour before getting out of bed to get ready for the morning. A really cool tip I found out (I’m late to the party!) is setting my phone to the “Bed Time” mode on my clock. It sets me up to go to bed and turns my phone on Do Not Disturb and sets my regular alarm (7:30) automatically. If you have an iPhone, you’ve got to try this!

Get Those Teeth Brushed

I don’t know about you but the first things I do in the morning are brush my teeth and use the bathroom! My favorite toothbrush ever is the slim GLEEM power bush. I really feel like this helps clean my teeth better than with a manual toothbrush and it’s super easy to replace the brush heads and batteries when they run out and need to be changed! After my breath is all fresh and clean, I wash my face and moisturize! My current skincare routine I’m using is from Curology (*not sponsored) because I am desperately trying to get my skin to clear up! I’m using the trial sizes right now and my fingers are crossed that it works! If you have used Curology, let me know in the comments! Lastly, I quickly throw on some brows and eyeliner, and I’m good to go!

Brekkie

I’m a huge breakfast person and one of my favorite things about waking up is making a yummy breakfast! My simple and fast breakfast is scrambled eggs, toast, and a yogurt or fruit. It takes less than 15 minutes and it fills me up until lunch! Iced coffee comes next and all I do is pop a K-cup in my Keurig and add ice, Torani vanilla syrup, and a little bit of half and half for creamer. I eat my breakfast in bed (we don’t have a kitchen table lolz) and scroll through Insta stories while I’m nomming. Nothing too interesting!

Time To Work

By this point in my day, it’s around 8:45 AM and I set up with my laptop and notebooks. I’m trying to use my desk more but I’ve gotten into the bad habit of always working in bed and I tend to stay here all day. If you have tips on how to stay productive and get out of bed, please let me know! I have been having migraines and headaches more frequently so it’s easier to stay in bed and then take a quick break when I need to. Once I’m set up in bed, the first thing I do is check my emails. With the weather like it is, I’ve been on top of my emails way more than I have been in the past so I’m always looking to see if there are new updates with our campus.

I start my classes at 9 and then take care of homework in between classes. My afternoon isn’t as busy because my class ends at 2 so I tend to take a quick nap and then work on more projects and check my deadlines to make sure that I’m all set.

Evening

I like having my evenings free so I can watch Netflix or just relax. A few hours before bed, I like to set the mood in my room to be able to get some sleep. I light candles or incense and turn off bright lights. During the evenings I also like to study and get ready for any tests or quizzes I know are coming up. Making a list of things I will need to get done the next day is something I have started to do that helps keep me organized.
After all that, I do my nighttime skin care routine and take a shower. Then I do it all the next day!

What does your daily routine look like? Let me know in the comments!

Self Care Tips for a New Year

Hey babes!

With this crazy year being almost at a close, it’s spurred me (and a lot of others!) to look at the year we had and see where we could use some room for improvement next year. While you may think that setting resolutions for the upcoming year are cliche and redundant, I find a sense of joy in the possibilities of a new beginning! Better self care is one of my resolutions for 2021 and I’ve thrown together some tips that I’ve learned to have a better self care routine!

Keep Skin Care Masks on Hand!

Face masks are one of my favorite ways to keep my skin in decent shape. I picked up a handful of masks a month ago when Ulta had a sale and I’m glad I did! Since Covid started in the US, the mask-ne (acne caused by wearing face masks) has been real and my skin hates me! Keeping skin care masks in my cabinet has been a great way to have a quick spa night and give my skin some help it needs!

Buy Yourself a Nail Kit for Pedis!

Trying to stay home as much as possible and save money are side effects of Covid for sure, and that also means skipping nail appointments. I tend to wear press on nails from Kiss (find my favorites here) but I love getting pedicures! I picked up some supplies while I was at Ulta and my feet have been happy happy since I started using them regularly! To have an amazing pedicure I start with a foot mask then follow up with a file, scrub, and then finally a pair of socks and heel repair lotion. With winter taking a toll on my skin, the heel repair has definitely helped keep them presentable! After my feet are all moisturized, I paint my toes and call it a day!

Get Some Books To Grow Your Mind!

I can’t tell you how many books I have picked up to help me expand my mind, learn how to manifest my dreams, and help grow a healthy mind place for myself. The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin is one of my current favorites that I am reading. It helps asks the question “What do I want from life?” and that’s something I ask myself almost every day. The Happiness Project is a fun read that I love to sit down with in coffee shops with. My second read of the moment is Mindfulness: How To Pay Attention The the Present by Wendy Hobson. It presents different ways to practice mindfulness, such as meditation. Mindfulness runs the reader through the ABCs of practicing mindfulness.

Find a Good Podcast or Playlist!

One thing that has helped me get through good times and bad is music. There’s a playlist for when I am happy, sad, or need a little boost of confidence. Spotify is my favorite music and podcast app, and it’s free to sign up! I have the Premium membership (ps college students: you can get a discount for Premium!) so I am constantly listening to music while I drive, cook, or take a shower. For podcasts, I love listening to educational shows! Stuff You Missed In History Class, Medical Murders, and TED are my favorite podcasts that I keep in rotation. TED has so many different episodes on topics that range from politics to lifestyle. If you are looking to learn a new language during quarantine, Duolingo has podcasts on Spotify, too!

Binge a New Show!

Sib, find a new show to watch or rewatch a favorite! I was gifted the Sex and the City series so I have been watching that since the holidays. A good chunk of us are still staying home so yes, it is perfectly fine to watch TV! If you are on Netflix, a few of my favorites are The Tudors, Orange Is the New Black, and Big Mouth. There’s a show for everyone and there are plenty of things for your kiddos! I’m trying to use screen time as an additional education source so I have been saving documentary titles as well!

I hope that 2021 brings blessings and joy for you (and me!)! We all could use a little spark in our lives and I wish that we can all start seeing each others smiling faces next year, without masks, but we can only hope. My email is always open if you want to drop a line or reach out!

Featured Image by Orlova Maria on Unsplash

Let’s Talk About Mental Health

Hi, friends! I hope you are all doing well and surviving this pandemic. Hopefully there will be a light at the end of the tunnel soon!

Something that has seemed to me to come from this pandemic is the normalization of mental health. People are more open with discussing their anxiety, depression, and other areas of mental health. I personally love this because mental health is so important to talk about and there’s always been a bubble of shame when it comes to talking about it.

During this pandemic, I have come to grips with a lot of different things, my mental health and its importance being one of them. I moved two hours away at the beginning of May, went through a separation, quit my full time job, and left everything I knew behind me. There has been a lot of anxiety, panic, and anger along the way, and all of that is still very much present. I don’t do well with change and to go through all of it during a pandemic is something I wouldn’t wish on anyone. Healthcare has changed and so has the ability to see a therapist or counselor. I am fortunate enough to have insurance that helps cover those costs and I know many are losing their insurance or have lost it. That brings me to talking about your mental health and what you can do to preserve it while we survive this pandemic.

It’s Okay To Say NO

I get it- saying “no” is scary and sometimes feels impossible. I am a people pleaser so I have gone for a long time saying “yes” to people 24/7. It didn’t do me any good though. At the end of the day it hurt me more than it would to have said “no”. Your time and energy need to be spent on things you want to spend them on. If you don’t want to go to your co-workers farewell party, don’t go. If you were supposed to call your friend but you don’t feel up to it, reschedule it. I promise the world is going to keep turning and you will feel better when you start to limit who and what you say “yes” to! 

The Block Button Is Your Friend!

I’m sure we all have that cousin or uncle who goes off on their social media. Politics, the virus, wearing masks, everyone has an opinion and sometimes it’s all you see. It is okay to block them or “take a break” and limit their posts. If it is extreme, I suggest blocking them. Your mental health is more important than how your Uncle Greg feels about the upcoming election!

Take a Break and Ground Yourself! 

Grounding is a practice that I try to incorporate into my routine at least once a week. To ground myself, I will get outside and into nature and stand barefoot on the earth. While I’m outside, I try to meditate or at the very least, calm my thoughts. It helps with my anxiety and also to get in the sunshine!  If you aren’t a fan of meditation, put on some of your favorite music or music that relaxes you. 

Drink Water and Eat Good Food

I know everyone is saying “Hydrate yourself! Make sure to drink lots of water!” and it’s for a good reason! When you take care of your body, you will feel better. The more water you drink and good food you eat, your skin will glow and you will overall feel healthier. Take my word for it! I am awful at giving my body to nutrition it deserves and needs but when I do, I feel 10x better than if I don’t hydrate! 

Try Journaling 

Journaling is a great way to vent things out and pour your emotions onto paper. A journal is often a safe place to write in because it’s private and only going to seen by you. There’s no judgment in journaling! My personal tip is to find a cute journal or notebook that you like because you will write in it and want to write in it! 

Practice Self Care

Self care means something different for everyone. For me personally, it means closing my door, putting on a facemask, and finding a good music playlist. Sometimes self care is saying no, using the block button, muting someone who isn’t helping your grow. That’s all self care too! What’s your definition of self care?

I hope some of these tips help you stay sane and help you make your mental health a priority! We’re going to make it through this pandemic and I promise we are going to be okay! I love you!

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Featured image by Alisa Anton on Unsplash

The Food Diaries pt. 1

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Hi, friends! I hope you are surviving through all the craziness in our world! Since I’ve moved closer to the city, I’ve been able to have the opportunity to discover new restaurants and coffee shops, and that gives me the adventure of starting a new piece on Mimi In Motion- The Food Diaries! I’m so excited to start this new section and tell you guys about all the new spots and trendy spaces I find!

On a whim Saturday evening, we found a new Irish pub to try out. The Black Raven in Harrah is proud to serve Oklahomans traditional Irish cuisine and crafted drinks, as well as showcase local musicians for live music nights. I love Irish food so needless to say, I was very excited to try out a new pub!

The atmosphere is relaxed and laid back, yet there’s an underlying buzz of merriment and excitement. Our waitress Rachel greeted us with a smile and was so friendly the entire visit. The menu is full of traditional Irish dishes and mouthwatering desserts, which made picking out what to eat rather difficult! I ordered the bangers and mash and let me tell you, it was so good I scraped my plate clean! The mashed potatoes and gravy are such a comfort food and the two sausage links that accompany are absolutely perfect. They are cooked beautifully and not the slightest bit greasy. The bangers and mash is just one reason to go back! I sampled the Shepherd’s Pie as well and it also gets five stars in my book! It’s seasoned superbly and the fluffy potatoes that are baked on top are a dream! If you’re going with a guest, order both dishes and share them!

Now let’s talk about the real showstopper!

We hadn’t planned on getting dessert, to be honest it hadn’t even crossed our minds until I saw the massive piece of cake on someone’s plate from across the dining room! The Guinness Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Ganache is beyond scrumptious. It’s decadent without being too rich, thick but not too heavy. It’s an ethereal experience to say the very least! After talking with Rachel, we found out that they cater weddings and events, and my heart beat a little bit faster! I will most definitely call ahead and order a whole cake to bring home with me!

If you are anywhere near Harrah, you’ve got to stop by The Black Raven! They have the best food, the friendliest staff, and the world’s best chocolate cake! It’s worth your visit and I will be going back very soon!

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Keep eating good food and don’t forget to laugh,

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*Featured image by Frank Albrecht on Unsplash. Picture not taken at The Black Raven. 
 

CaseApp Tech Gear

Happy Friday, friends!

If you love phone cases and laptop skins like I do, you are going to love today’s post! CaseApp was kind enough to collaborate with me and I ordered two laptop skins for my MacBook Pro to spice it up. I also had the honor of hosting a giveaway on my Instagram last month with CaseApp, so if you missed out on that, make sure to follow my Instagram account so you will stay updated on when I post new giveaways!

The ordering process was really simple and if I had any problems, my PR rep Tobias was there to help me. There are a lot of skins to choose from for different laptop sizes that are all stylish and modern. If you have a phone that fits one of their case sizes, you will find a phone case or skin that you love! My phone is an odd model so there weren’t any case sizes that would fit it, thus my choice in ordering two laptop skins.

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YOLO Vivianne MacBook Pro Skin

When I was getting ready to order everything, I had 5 favorites that I couldn’t make my mind up on. A lot of “but this one is so gorgeous, too!” later, I narrowed things down to my top two favorite designs. YOLO Vivianne and Spring Flowers are my two favorite designs and they fit my personal style so well.

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Spring Flowers MacBook Pro Skin

Spring Flowers is so gorgeous and caught my eye immediately! I love the detail the little strawberries add to it and the pastel colors are beautiful.

CaseApp ships worldwide and all of the MacBook Pro skins (US priced) are $29. Since this post is going up so late, the code I had for you guys that was on my Instagram has now expired. There are a lot of bloggers who collaborate with CaseApp though, so if you support and follow fellow bloggers, one of them is sure to have a code you can use for a small discount!

Another fun fact about CaseApp: you can design your own phone case, skin, or laptop skin in their creator studio! Just select the size of your phone or laptop and then begin designing your own personalized tech gear! This feature is great if you want a family photo to be your laptop skin or phone case.

Check out CaseApp here and start browsing their designs!

I hope you had a great holiday weekend if you live in the US and that you celebrated the 4th of July safely!

See you next time,

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Outtakes:

Beauty Serum Review | elDivine Beauty

Hi, friends!

I hope you all are having a great week and you had a great weekend. Today’s review is more skincare and I think you will love it. I had never tried serums before and they honestly scared me, but after trying the three serum set from elDivine Beauty. I was sent the retinol, hyaluronic acid, and vitamin C kit for free (as usual, disclaimer is below.). Let me start off with a big thank you to the elDivine Beauty team for working with me! Everyone in communication has been incredibly nice and helpful whenever I had questions.

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The serum that I used the most is the Hyaluronic acid to help with my dry skin and giving my skin a glow. At night, I would sometimes add the retinol into my routine. The vitamin c serum is great in the mornings for a fresh glow! I did notice that my skin glowed really nicely when I was consistently using the serums and once I stopped using them, my skin dulled a bit. The kit is great if you are looking to add an extra step into your skincare routine and to achieve a healthy glow. Unfortunately, I failed to document my results of before and after, but I guarantee you that my skin was glowing!

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All three of the serums came in the elDivine Beauty Anti-Aging and Skin Rejuvenating kit that is $19.99 on Amazon. For the low price point, the serums are very much worth it. You don’t need to break the bank to get a glow!

Thank you to elDivine Beauty and the team for sending me the serum kit! Check out the product link below!

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elDivine Beauty Serum Set

Blogmas | Day 6

 

Hi, loves!

The pressure and stress during Christmas is almost inevitable, especially if you are going out of town to celebrate for the holidays.  With 4 days left until Christmas, you may be getting ready to get on a plane to go see family, friends, or take time for yourself this holiday season.  Whatever your plans, you are going to need a packing list and while I know it is hard to pack everything you need and be able to make the carry-on case rules and regulations, I have come up with a packing list for your carry-on that will keep your flight relaxing and stress free!

  • An extra outfit!

 

Leggings: JC Penny  Scarf: Old Navy

Packing an extra outfit is always a good idea, especially if you are on your period.  Since flying means being in a plane among other holiday travelers, you want the most comfortable clothing possible.  Leggings, a comfy top, and a simple pair of shoes will be best.  One of my favorite tops that is soft and stretchy is from Mossimo at Target.   It was also under $10!

  • Toiletries

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Drybar Travel Set from Ulta

Make sure to pack small travel sized versions of your favorite deodorant, toothpaste, dry shampoo, and conditioning products! Also pack a mini perfume and a toothbrush! If your flight gets delayed or canceled (knocking on wood that it doesn’t!!) then you are going to want products to help you freshen up.

  • Tech & Reading 

Left: Headphones by Beats  Right:  Mindy Kaling book at Barnes and Noble

Listening to music or reading a book is great so make sure you have headphones and a book! Albums I am loving on Spotify right now are The Thrill of It All by Sam Smith, Coco Soundtrack, and Rumours by Fleetwood Mac.  There are also a ton of great playlists and podcasts on Spotify to listen to during your travels.

  • Getting Cozy

Left: Travel Fleece Blanket from Talus   Middle: J Jill Socks   Right: Lulus Oversized Sweater

To get cozy, grab a blanket, put some soft socks on your tootsies, and slip on a baggy sweater.  If your trip is cold, a sweaters or sweatshirts are the best to warm up with.  If your sweatshirt has a hood, pull the strings and then you are in an anti-social cocoon and people will leave you alone to sleep, hopefully. 

  • Necessities

On your voyage, double check that you have your wallet, keys, tickets, passport, charging cables, money, and phone! It would be horrible if you showed up at the air port and couldn’t board your flight.  What a way to say “Humbug!” to your holiday vacation. 

It would also be a good idea to pack Dramamine or Benadryl if you get get motion sickness during flights.  Any allergy medications, immunity gummies, vitamins, and other meds that you take or may need should also go in your carry-on case for easy access.

A few fun extras to pack:

  • Snack size portion of almonds
  • mini snacks
  • small water bottles
  • single drink mixes
  • mini jerky sticks
  • a crossword book
  • a coloring book and fun pens or pencils
  • extra earbuds in case something happens to your original pair!
  • a journal

Wherever you are going this holiday season, I want to wish you the brightest and merriest of Christmases! I hope your travel plans go smoothly and you enjoy the festivities with your loved ones.  If you don’t have anyone to spend the holidays with, I want you to know that I love you and you can talk to me on the special day if you want a person to talk with! You can message me via Twitter or Instagram and I will be your Christmas buddy!

Merry Christmas, babes!

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Rossario George | Interview With Tony Vincente

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Hi, babes!

Today’s post is a special one and it is the first ever of its kind of Glitz and Glitter! If you follow me on Instagram and you saw my Insta story from Monday, you will have seen that there is a surprise project with Tony Vincente, Founder and CEO of Rossario George, a luxury fashion and home brand. Tony just recently launched his website Rossario George in partnership with Vida. I interviewed Tony about Rossario George, his brand, and more! You guys are also getting a special offer at the end of the blog post, so keep your eyes open for that!

Without any further adieu, here is the fabulous interview! My text will be italicized in black and Tony’s answers are the bold blue texts.

  1. What inspired you to start Rossario George? You said on your website that your mother and sister helped culture a love for all things fashionable and couture in your life; how do you think that their influence has had an impact on your brand? Rossario George was the next step for my business. I have been a business owner since 2009 and Rossario George is its final evolution. It was serendipitous how it came about. Vida reached out to me to see if I had an interest in designing for them. I have always wanted to be a fashion designer but did not have the sources to make this a reality. When Vida call all that changed. My passion for fashion started when I was early, to which I owe to my mother and sister. Both have since left this earth and I think in many ways both are guiding my designs and business choices. I named my first shoe line the “Yvette” heels after my sister and waiting for the right thing to name after my mom. Stay tuned!
  1. The majority of the collections in Rossario George have a predominately Grecian theme and style, which is something that I find very unique and ingenious. The patterns and colors are vibrant and they remind me of one of my favorite time periods and Grecian mythology. The Icarus and Persephone collections are two of my particular favorites. What led you to design with Grecian themes? First, I want to say I am happy you like the “Icarus” and “Persephone” lines! Second, I love the Greco-Roman era of design. It was a truly magical time filled with majestic arts and amazing mythical tales. When I was a kid, nothing made me happier to sit and read stories of Mythology and Greek mythology was my favorite genre. I guess this love never went away only gaining life through my designs.

(right: “Icarus” unisex t-shirt. left: “Persephone” wrap.)

3. Your brand definitely delivers when it states luxury. From pocket squares and pendants to pillows and handbags, everything is unique and has quality. When you were in the beginning stages of creating Rossario George, did you have a vision of what you wanted your brand to be? Oh my god, I so love you Mimi! Keep the compliments going! When it comes to my brand vision, I had one in place for some time. Vincente Living was ready for its next steps and Rossario George was it. Overall, this brand is about providing high quality, timeless and luxurious pieces for men, women and the home.

(Rossario George pillows. Available with or without insert.)
  1. There are a lot of collections on Rossario George and each one is unique in its own way. What is your favorite collection from Rossario George? I have to say I am proud of all of my collections but I am total shoe FANATIC so my shoe collections hold a special place in my heart. Especially the “Bellissima” patent leather boot. Live for those!
  1. On your blog you said that when Vida asked if you would consider collaborating with them, what was going through your mind? It must have been incredible to know that a brand that had previously collaborated with Cher was knocking on your door and loved your style! I was beyond ecstatic and still am to this day. Vida is an amazing company to work with and just as you stated I get to design for a company that works with freakin CHER! To say I am honored and blessed is an understatement.

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“Water Maiden” tank top

  1. Your style and the style of Rossario George collections are one of a kind. When I looked at the website before I contacted you on Twitter, I was blown away by the individuality of your brand and pieces. It drew me in and I instantly knew that it was something I wanted to collaborate on. The shoes, the wraps, the pillows, everything is absolutely amazing and I hope to purchase all of your designs at some point in my life! One of the things that also stood out to me was that Rossario George is inclusive. The shoes sizes up to a 13 in most of the collection, there are plus and petite sizes. It’s amazing! When you were designing Rossario George, did you know that having a large range of sizes was something you wanted to do? Absolutely! Beauty comes in all shapes and sizes and Rossario George is a brand that will ALWAYS reflect that.

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“god and man” unisex t-shirt

  1. I read through your blog and read why you named your brand Rossario George. It was very touching and I believe the name suits the brand very well. It brings a sense of taste and charm to your collections. When a person wearing your fashion is asked what brand they are wearing, they will look at the curious admirer and say “Rossario George” and the style and name go together effortlessly. For those who are not aware as to why you chose Rossario George as your brand name, would you please give the back story to it? It would be my honor. Rossario George was the name of my partner’s father. He was a man of grace and elegance. I wanted to honor his memory and take from it pieces to grow mine. I’m a private person but I will share no one is more important in this world than my partner. No one has encouraged me more to be who I am now.

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“Persephone” pendant

8. I know you have a special deal for my lovely readers! What will they receive with your fabulous coupon code? I do indeed! Everyone reading this get a brand new car! Just kidding! Child I am not Oprah status (yet) but hopefully your awesome fashionistas reading this will enjoy $50 off my shoe collection for the entire month of October. Use Discount code: SHOPSHOES during checkout.

  1. Thank you so much for the interview! I can’t wait to see where your collections take you and your future success! With that kind of style, you are definitely going to be a big name to look out for at Fashion Week! Thank you Mimi! When the time comes, you definitely have a front row seat to our show.

There you have it, loves! Tony’s line is absolutely stunning and it is so luxurious and vibrant! His style is unmatched and I am so happy that I get to tell you guys about Tony and his incredible brand!

Tony’s shoe collection is so stylish and you get to use that special code for the entire month of October! Remember, at check out apply code SHOPSHOES!

Just look at those shoes! How gorgeous are they?! The stiletto is in the style “Yvette” and the boot is “Esme”. The names are just as beautiful as the shoes!And remember, you guys have a $50 off discount code!

I can’t wait to see where Tony goes in life!

As usual, I hope you have a great day and don’t forget to smile!