The Best of Korean Skincare

1.  Cel-Derma Ideal Radiance Hydrogel Mask ($24.87 for 4) - Indulge in a luxurious at-home spa night with this mask for killer skin.  It's a magical sheet that's temperature activated. Made of water soluble hydro gel, it increases your skin's resilience and moisturizes like no other.  If you're looking to hydrate, you'll absolutely love this!  Warning:  everything is written in korean, ha.  Lucky for you guys, y'all have me! Simply wash your face, splash on some toner, place this on your skin carefully, and leave it on for 40 minutes.  Do NOT wash this off afterwards. Just pat your face for max absorption - if you want, you can layer extra lotion or cream on top.  I have family members send me this straight from Korea, but you can purchase it HERE on Amazon.  FYI, each package contains 1 disposable mask.

2.  Amore Pacific Sleeping Mask ($60) - If you haven't tried this yet, you need to purchase this at Sephora ASAP.  This is the most amazing overnight treatment you'll ever use.  Apply a thin coat - think dime size - over your moisturizer and let it work its magic.  Formulated with 5-Hydra Complex (a potent blend of Asian botanicals that deliver mad hydration), this product is lightweight and luxe. Yes, it's on the pricy side, but I promise it's worth every penny. 

3.  Sooryehan Hyo Fermented Emulsion ($55) - Like the Sulwahsoo product pictured above, this is also an emulsion - I like to use it as a lotion though.  This item was created by fermenting four oriental herbs:  ginseng, foxglove, Pleuropterus multiforus, and Polygonatum falcatum. These ingredients provide max defense against aging, pollution and the like.  It absorbs quickly and doesn't leave much residue so your skin will feel hydrated without any kind of unpleasant stickiness. Available HERE online at Amazon for $55.

4.  Artistry Youth Xtend Enriching Cream ($79.09) - This cream is unreal.  It works overnight to "reprogram" your skin - it repairs existing damage, while improving smoothness and radiance.  Made of life-extending mediterranean botanical, this cream encourages skin's natural youth protein production.  FYI, it's currently on sale at Amazon for $79.09 - it's originally $169.95.  Purchase this before it sells out.  I promise you'll thank me when your skin's softer than a baby's bottom, ha.  In my very humble opinion, this cream's better than La Mer's famous moisturizing soft cream!

5.  Sulwahsoo Essential Balancing Emulsion ($63) - This product's technically an emulsion, but I use it in place of toner.  It's formulated with Korean medicinal herbs so it soothes while it softens. Mountain peony prevents dehydration while yai jiu hua extract enhances radiance and encourages circulation.   FYI, it's ideal for all skin types!  Neiman Marcus recommends that you to apply it after Sulwahsoo's First Care Serum and Balancing Water at morning AND night, but I think that's overkill - I personally only use it at night. Apply it under your moisturizer, and you should be good to go!  If you want to supercharge your routine, apply a serum after the emulsion in the evening (before you layer cream on top).  Tip: let your skin absorb each product - wait 3-5 minutes in between applications. Also, don't touch anything germy (like your phone) or else you'll counteract this magical goodness.  Only use clean hands on your skin.  If you don't, you'll totally break out!  Trust me, I speak from experience.

In honor of the new year, I've decided to tackle Day Zero's project, 101 Things in 1001 Days.  Since I'm starting this today, I have until Sept. 29th, 2018 to complete my list.  If you want to take on this challenge with me, use this date calculator to figure out your end date.  Also, make sure to link yours below (in the comment section) so I can see your tasks - I actually really enjoy reading these lists. I'll italicize goals currently in progress, and bold tasks that are completed.

1.  Get a six-pack!

2.  Make a vegetable lasagna.

3.  Visit my best friend, B. Michael, in Houston.

4.  Take voice lessons.

5.  Try a yoga class.

6.  Complete a juice cleanse.

7.  Run a 5k.

8.  Bake a perfect macaron.

9.  Finish my doctorate!

10.  Take a hip-hop dance class.

11.  Buy a pair of expensive designer shoes.

12.  Write an e-Book.

13.  Hit 50k on twitter.

14.  Ride a roller-coaster.

15.  Hit my goal weight of 105!

16.  Get nail art done professionally.

17.  Bake fancy cupcakes for a friend from scratch.

18.  Run a 10k.

19.  Share a vocal cover on my youtube channel.

20.  Create an inspiration board.

21.  Carve a bad@$$ pumpkin for Halloween.

22.  Experience Sleep No More in NYC.

23.  Write 5 handwritten letters (0/5).

24.  Read 50 new books (1/50).

25.  Run a half marathon.

26.  Grow homemade herbs and cook a delish meal with them.

27.  Volunteer at an animal shelter.

28.  Mail someone a surprise care package for no reason.

29.  Travel to 5 new places (0/5).

30.  Take a cooking class.

31.  Visit a winery!

32.  Bake a cheesecake.

33.  Re-connect with an old friend from high school in person.

34.  Learn how to use photoshop.

35.  Complete the 100 push-up challenge.

36.  Try a new hairdo.

37.  Enroll in a photography class.

38.  Re-design Sensible Stylista.

39.  Donate $500 ($125/$500).

40.  Get back into martial arts.

41.  Get a massage.

42.  Take a family portrait with Daisy.

43.  Make homemade jam.

44.  Learn how to poach an egg.

45.  Sew a piece of clothing.

46.  Make my own hummus.

47.  Go to a local farmer's market in Maryland.

48.  Run a mile in 8 minutes or less.

49.  Try a DIY from my pinterest board.

50.  Learn how to speak spanish somewhat fluently.

51.  Ax TV for a month.

52.  Go to a professional sports game.

53.  Design my own planner.

54.  Learn how to play ukelele.

55.  Compose songs for pre-college piano students.

56.  Build a gingerbread house during the holidays.

57.  Visit a psychic.

58.  Go on a walking tour of DC and document everything.

59.  Learn how to shoot a gun.

60.  Make homemade pasta.

61.  Try deep dish pizza in Chicago.

62.  Go to an amusement park.

63.  Complete T25.

64.  Bake a pecan pie from scratch.

65.  Have a cheesesteak in Philly.

66.  Speak on a TV segment (for fashion).

67.  Attend a blogging conference.

68.  Give up red meat for a month.

69.  Listen to an audio book.

70.  Give five 'just because' gifts (0/5).

71.  Try a new ethnic cuisine.

72.  Buy new glasses.

73.  Try 50 new restaurants in the DMV area (4/50).

74.  Go vegetarian for a week.

75.  Buy an ice cream maker.

76.  Build up to a 5-min plank.

77.  Visit 3 new art museums (0/3).

78.  Go watch a movie at a drive-in.

79.  Visit a comedy club.

80.  Listen to a podcast.

81.  Connect with 5 new blogger friends in person (0/5).

82.  Get a professional facial.

83.  Go on a cruise.

84.  Speak at a blogger event.

85.  Learn how to make 20 healthy meals in my crockpot (0/20).

86.  Make a year-in-pictures album.

87.  Visit the Baltimore aquarium with a friend.

88.  Stop biting my nails.

89.  Bake a birthday cake for a friend!

90.  Learn how to use protools.

91.  Cook a thanksgiving feast for my family.

92.  Get monogrammed stationary.

93.  Re-design my business card.

94.  Play tourist in NYC.

95.  Try 20 smoothie recipes from my pinterest board (0/20).

96.  Hit 200k+ on instagram.

97.  Visit Hawaii.

98.  Try to get into The Box in NYC.

99.  Randomly send flowers to a friend.

100.  Watch 20 movies I've never seen before (0/20).

101.  Travel to the caribbean again.

Highlights from 2015

I can't believe 2015 is already over.  This year has gone by SO fast!  As promised, here's a short recap of highlights for y'all.  I'm sorry I wasn't more thorough - I was on a time crunch because I had a ton of errands to run.  I hope you guys still love me!

1.  Becoming a Strathmore Artist-in-Residence.

Photographer:  Jonathan Timmes

Strathmore's an amazing arts organization based in the DMV - they sponsor and host a ton of concerts, bringing in huge artists from all genres. It's a true honor to be one of the chosen 6 AIRs! I've already learned so much - their bi-weekly seminars have been so helpful and informative - and I've met some truly incredible musicians and mentors!  I even had the opportunity to dabble in some jazz, ha.  I'm really looking forward to upcoming improv lessons with the wonderful Dan Roberts.  For those of you in the area, I'm being featured in May!  For info on concerts and whatnot, clicky HERE. Also, if you'd like to see more pics from my shoot with Jonathan Timmes, clicky HERE.

2.  Breaking 50k+ on instagram!

I was super excited to reach this milestone because instagram is by far my favorite social media platform.  Thanks to you guys, I was able to to smash my original goal.  I wanted to hit 50k by the end of December, but I built my following up to 55.2k+!  I really can't thank y'all enough.  I promise to work extra hard in 2016.  

3.  Finishing my degree recitals + passing Peabody's piano lit exam.

As you all know, I'm currently pursuing my doctorate in piano performance at the Peabody Institute. I'm stoked to announce that I officially finished my last solo recital for the degree.  If you're wondering what I played for the concert, here's my program: Haydn's Piano Sonata in E Major, No. 31, Chopin's Four Ballades, and a contemporary piece written by my good friend, Natalie Draper.  I was actually pretty nervous for the performance, but it went really well so I'm content.

Also, as I mentioned above, I passed Peabody's piano lit exam on my first try - it was an unexpected ("unexpected" = miraculous) feat, ha!  You guys have NO idea how much I studied.  I was literally scrutinizing scores and listening to recordings 10-12 hours a day.  People told me all sorts of insane stories so I was legit terrified - thank god that's all done and over with.  I still have 2 more comps to complete, but I can sort of see the light at the end of the tunnel now!  Send me good vibes so I pass both my exams in the spring!

4.  Visiting LA + linking up with blogger friends!

The Arts District || Good Times in Hollywood || Feeling Myself

Last summer, I visited la-la land and had a marvelous time romping around like a tourist!  I worked with an amazing photographer and hung out with some IG favorites: fashionista804, kkarmalove, and lifesjules.  My trip was super short so I didn't get to connect with all my CA friends - I guess that means I have to go back soon!  FYI, links to full posts are provided in the caption.

5.  Hosting Snobswap's DC event + modeling for Fox news.

I was stoked to co-host my first event in DC this year!  "The Best of Snobswap" was such a blast - the h'orderves were delish and the space (Malmaison) was super cute.  I had the opportunity to connect with local consignment boutiques and mingle with fashionable DMV-ers.  I represented Ella Rue and wore Alexis and James Jeans to the event.  Also, I made my first official TV appearance as a fashion blogger/model on Fox news to help promote the event!  I've been featured/interviewed on TV for my music several times in the past so I thought I'd feel fine, but I was surprisingly nervous.  I guess jitters don't fade with time, ha!

6.  Creating my youtube channel + making videos/recording with Blue Griffin.

Ok, I know my youtube channel only has ONE video, but that's going to change very soon!  I actually flew to Michigan to record a bunch of videos and audio tracks with Blue Griffin.  Keep an eye out because sh*t's about to get real.  Also, if you're wondering why I have a random photo of a living room, it's because I stayed with my recording engineer and his partner during my stay in Lansing. Their home is freakin' ginormous.  In fact, it's an insult to call their house a "house" because their crib is actually an effin' castle.  Ha.  Moving on, I'm planning to vlog a bunch this year so let me know if you have requests.  I always take them into consideration!

7.  Attending my first Her Campus Event + covering it as an ambassador for European Wax Center.

I had a blast covering Her Campus' College Fashion Week!  European Wax Center generously sponsored my post - if you missed it, clicky here. I really enjoyed the show because they featured "real" girls, and the audience was really supportive. As a plus, HC got Allie Gonino (Laurel from The Lying Game) to perform a lovely set as an opening act.

What are some of your favorite moments from 2015? Leave me a comment below with your most memorable experience!  Also, don't forget to check out my list of end-of-the-year sales HERE.