New Years Resolutions | 2018

Happy New Year. I can't believe that it is already 2018! Time is really flying. As January comes to an end I wanted to share my 2018 goals and resolutions for my personal life, work and family life.

There were so many exciting and amazing things that happened in 2017 for me and my family. The whole year was centered around my pregnancy and the arrival of our beautiful baby girl Amara in the Fall. I am so grateful to God for a healthy pregnancy (for the most part) and a very happy and healthy baby girl.

As this new year starts and I am figuring out my goals and things I want to achieve, I thought I would put it down on (figurative) paper to keep myself motivated and accountable for what I decide. I hope that this blog entry helps you with your resolutions or if anything it can inspire you to do more this new year.

My first resolution, as I think it is with everyone, is to get healthy. I have been struggling with my weight for close to 5 years now. It's a combination of my poor eating habits, my non-existing exercising and genetics. I want to do better this year. I want to focus on getting healthy as opposed to skinny. I want to feel better about myself, I want to have more energy and I want to have more confidence in how I look. This also goes deeper in the sense that I want my baby to have a mom for a REALLY long time, and now is the time to get my health on track.


I am going to be working to grow my YouTube channel as well as my blog. I have been obsessed with YouTube for many, many years. I have been on and off with my YouTube channel since I started it a few years back. I want to make this a priority and really expand it and also grow my audience. I love that I can share my life, hobbies and passions with my viewers on YouTube and on my blog. I am working on expanding my content on my main channel, which I think will be the only channel I post to.(YouTube.com/thesoriameffect4) I am very excited about the new direction my channel and content will be going!


The other goal that I have for 2018 is to start my own business. I am a stylist, and since I started cosmetology school I have been saying that I want to open my own salon. This year is the year that I start taking the steps to getting this done. I won't be going in to much detail about all my plans, but again I wanted to put it down on "paper".


The goal that I am most excited about is year is going on a few vacations. Last year with the pregnancy and with saving money for the baby's arrival we only went on one vacation the entire year. This year I want to go on more vacations, this can be just Derek and I, or us with either of our extended families. As long as we are getting out of the house and on some beach I will be happy.


Something that goes along with taking more vacations this year is that I want to go on more dates with Derek. Usually we do dates on a whim, not putting too mush thought in what we actually do, which usually turns out to be going out to dinner. So this year I want to have at least one date night a month were we do something different and fun. I want to think outside the box a little more. I even thought of putting fun date ideas into a jar and picking one out each month to do together.


Something my husband and I are still talking about that might or might not happen this year is trying for baby #2. We have been talking about when we want to have our second (and final) baby. Before I had Amara and before we were even thinking about having any babies, I always thought that I wanted to have my kids spaced out by a few years. My sisters and I are all 4 years apart and I always thought that was what I wanted. Since having Amara, I think that we are both leaning towards having our second baby sooner rather than later. My though process is that I don't want to be completely out of the baby stage and then 2-4 years later have to start from scratch again.
This last goal might not happen at all, but it is in talks between my husband and I, so I thought I would include it anyway.

What are your New Years Resolutions? What goals have you set for yourself?

|| YOUTUBE CHANNELS ||

Beauty Channel: https://www.youtube.com/thesoriameffect4

Lifestyle Channel: http://YouTube.com/SoriamTV

Spanish Beauty Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVp5erjTu3sPPV7pGKjOP8w

|| FOLLOW ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA ||

Instagram: https://instagram.com/the_soriam_effect/

Facebook: http://facebook.com/thesoriameffect

Twitter: https://twitter.com/SorrriamArrrce

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/soriamarce/

Anniversary Date Night Get Ready with Me | Fall Edition

Fall is my favorite season of the whole year. The air gets crisp and cool, the days are a little shorter and I can break out my sweaters. I live in sweaters all fall and winter. 

In the video below I go over my makeup, hair and outfit for my husband and I's 5 year wedding anniversary date. 

Derek had a whole afternoon and evening planned for us!

We started the afternoon with lunch at my favorite Mexican restaurant, Plaza Azteca. Then we stopped in at our massage therapists office for a romantic couples massage. 

Our next stop was to the movies. There wasn't really anything we specifically wanted to see, so we ending up watching GeoStorm. This was not the most interesting movie in the world, but it was fun to hang out with Derek and relax.

Our last stop of the day was going to dinner. Derek took me to a very nice Italian restaurant. I had never been there before. The food was delicious and I had my first drink after having our baby. 

It was such a special day overall. Derek really took the time to plan and set up a really fun day for us to enjoy together. 

Although I missed her, it was also nice to just spend time alone without the baby for the first time since she was born. 

It is important to us to have at least one date night every month and have time to just connect and talk.

Check out the video below of how I got ready for our Anniversary day date. 

Products Mentioned: Makeup: Maybelline Master Prime http://amzn.to/2BfjqIC LA Girl Pro Conceal http://amzn.to/2zbLY3Z L'Oreal True Match Foundation http://amzn.to/2BJAVlx Maybelline Fit Me Concealer http://amzn.to/2zbDPwx Rimmel Stay Matte Powder https://www.rimmellondon.com/en_us/pr... NYX Contour & Highlight Palette http://www.ulta.com/highlight-contour... Becca X Jaclyn Hill Champagne Collection Face Palette (Middle Blush) ABH Brow Wiz https://www.sephora.com/product/brow-... Too Faced Shadow Insurance Primer https://www.sephora.com/product/shado... Too Faced Just Peachy Mattes Palette https://www.toofaced.com/eye-makeup/e... Rimmel Black Eyeliner Pencil Stila Stay All Day Liquid Eyeliner http://www.ulta.com/stay-all-day-wate... Becca X Jaclyn Hill Champagne Pop Highlighter http://www.ulta.com/shimmering-skin-p... Maybelline Lash Stiletto Mascara http://amzn.to/2Do62Dp L'Oreal Colour Riche Extraordinaire Lip Color https://www.walgreens.com/store/c/l'o... Sephora Mini Lip Liner https://www.sephora.com/product/lip-l... Hair: Pretty In A Minute Flat Iron Rave Hairspray Outfit: Burgundy Sweater: New York & Company Jeans: New York & Company Gray Tank Top: Forever 21 Black Flats: Burlington

|| YOUTUBE CHANNELS ||

Beauty Channel: https://www.youtube.com/thesoriameffect4

Lifestyle Channel: http://YouTube.com/SoriamTV

Spanish Beauty Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVp5erjTu3sPPV7pGKjOP8w

|| FOLLOW ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA ||

Instagram: https://instagram.com/the_soriam_effect/

Facebook: http://facebook.com/thesoriameffect

Twitter: https://twitter.com/SorrriamArrrce

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/soriamarce/

Holiday Gift Guide | For Him

Finding gifts for the man or men in your life always seems to be a struggle. I always have a hard time trying to find something for my husband and my dad.
So I wanted to put together a quick list of gift ideas that are great for the guys.

First up is the Sony Premium Noise Cancelling True Wireless Headphones
These are perfect for anyone that loves listening to music. They are small and sleek.

For the book worm, the Kindle Paperwhite E-Reader is perfect. I bought this as a Christmas gift for my husband back in 2015 and he loves it still to this day!

Another great gift that can be used for many years is the Philips Norelco OneBlade Hybrid Electric Trimmer. 

Something that can be very helpful is this next gift. The Tile Key Finder can help you find your keys or phone or anything else that you put it on. This is great for the men in your life that are always loosing everything. 

For the man that likes his whiskey, this next gift is very nice. The Etched Globe Whiskey Decanter Set. This is a really sophisticated gift that can be used all year round. 

Something a little outside of the box as far as gifts go is the Cinemood 3-in-1 Magic Cinema Projector. This is a unique gift that again can be used all the time. 

I hope this was helpful to anyone still looking for a gift to get the man in your life. 

|| YOUTUBE CHANNELS ||

Beauty Channel: https://www.youtube.com/thesoriameffect4

Lifestyle Channel: http://YouTube.com/SoriamTV

Spanish Beauty Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVp5erjTu3sPPV7pGKjOP8w

|| FOLLOW ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA ||

Instagram: https://instagram.com/the_soriam_effect/

Facebook: http://facebook.com/thesoriameffect

Twitter: https://twitter.com/SorrriamArrrce

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/soriamarce/

My Hair Care Routine

I have been really into coloring and lightening my hair as of late. I did the ombre effect and I also lightened my base color as well. So with all these chemicals and heat styling that I do regularly, I wanted to share with you how I take care of my hair and the products that I like to use to keep my hair soft and healthy even when I abuse it.

Starting off with shampoo I have been going back and forth between my trusty Head & Shoulders shampoo and also a new shampoo I recently discovered from Capilo called Sole and Cinnamon.
I usually have a dry scalp and I like the Head & Shoulders shampoo to help with that. I started using the Sole and Cinnamon shampoo a couple of months ago to help grow out my hair. This shampoo has cinnamon and other ingredients that promote hair growth and battle hair loss. Since I don't suffer from hair loss, I am hoping that it will help my hair grow faster and longer.

I start by placing the shampoo on my scalp and I start to scrub using my fingers. I try to keep my hair from knotting up, so I don't like to bring the ends of my hair up to my scalp. I keep all my hair going down my back.

I like to wash my hair every 4-5 days. There are a few reasons why I like to wait so long to wash my hair, number one I don't want to have to heat style it every single day. Number two, it is super bad for your hair and scalp to constantly wash yopur hair everyday, it removes healthy oils from the hair and scalp that will make your hair and scalp dry. I also just don't have the time to spend washing and blow-drying my hair on an everyday basis as well as the amount of shampoo and conditioner that is being wasted.
I have learned a few tricks to make my hair go for as long as possible without washing. I like to have my hair straight down for 2-3 days right after washing it. Then on the 4th-5th day I put my hair up in a ponytail or bun.

By the time that I have to wash my hair again, I have some product buildup from hairspray and styling oils/lotions that I have used, so I like to wash my hair twice with shampoo to make sure it is cleansed and ready to be conditioned.

To condition my hair I have been using the Rinse product also from Capilo Sole and Cinnamon. I like to squeeze out as much water out of my hair as possibly to really help the conditioner soak into the hair. I like to let the Rinse sit in my hair for 5 minutes before I rinse it out. When I apply the conditioner I start to place it on the ends of my hair, holding my hair like if I was going to make a ponytail, and then I work the conditioner up with my hands. I put the most conditioner on my ends, and the least on my scalp area.

After that I like to deep condition my scalp and hair using the Sole and Cinnamon Conditioning Cream. Since I have so much hair I usually take 2 scoops of the deep conditioner. I apply it the same way I applied the Rinse product starting at the ends and working my way up the hair shaft.

After the conditioner is in my hair I like to give myself a little scalp massage. I use the balls of my fingers to gently but firmly massage my scalp. This is super relaxing and it is a good way to stimulate blood flow to the scalp which in turn stimulats hair growth. I start at the top of my head and slowly work my way to the back around the nape area. I also like to go around the hair line where the little baby hairs are. I do this for about 2-4 minutes, then I use an elastic band to put my hair up and let that deep conditioner sit in my hair for 20-30 minutes.

After that I rinse it thoroughly and make sure that it is all out. I then towel dry the hair as much as possible.

As far as products go, I try to keep it as simple as possible. The less products I use the longer I can go without washing it.

I have been obsessed with the Chi Silk Infusion serum. It smells amazing and it makes my hair super soft. I use about a quarter size amount, again because I have a ton of hair. I like to distribute it all over my hands, then I start applying it from my ends up to the midshaft of the hair. I try to keep it away from my roots so that it doesn't look oily when I dry it.

Sometimes I would also add a tiny dime size amount of the Schwarzkopf Essence Ultime Hair Filler Serum (similar product)if I feel that my hair is super dry.

Then I like to use my hair dryer on the hottest temperature and highest setting to rough dry my hair. I like to put the blow dryer above my head so that I can blow dry my hair straight down. This helps the hair look shiner and prevent breakage by drying the cuticle of the hair down on itself.

If I am giving myself a blowout then I would rough dry it until my hair is about 80% dry, then I would section my hair off and go in with my medium round brush to blow it out. I made a video explaining and showing all the steps on how I do an at-home salon blowout check it out if you want to learn how to do that.

If I am not blowing my hair out, then I rough dry it until it is 100% dry and then I use my flatiron to smooth everything out. I start by sectioning my hair off into 1 inch sections and with my flat iron on the highest heat setting I straighten my hair.

The whole drying process takes me about 45 minutes to an hour to get done since I have thick hair and a lot of it.

Once my hair is dry and straight I don't like to apply any more products that will make it look or feel greasy. Like I said my hair lasts me up to 5 days without washing it.

This is just how I have been washing and taking care of my hair. But you can switch things up or change products that would be more suitable for your hair type.

{This post is from about a year ago that I never posted for whatever reason. I still wanted to share it, since it has many awesome tips and some great products. I do have a different hair care routine now, and I can share that at a later date. Thanks!}

|| YOUTUBE CHANNELS ||

Beauty Channel: https://www.youtube.com/thesoriameffect4

Lifestyle Channel: http://YouTube.com/SoriamTV

Spanish Beauty Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVp5erjTu3sPPV7pGKjOP8w

|| FOLLOW ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA ||

Instagram: https://instagram.com/the_soriam_effect/

Facebook: http://facebook.com/thesoriameffect

Twitter: https://twitter.com/SorrriamArrrce

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/soriamarce/

Holiday Gift Guide | For Her

It is that time of year again. If you don't know what to get your loved one for Christmas here are some awesome gift ideas. These gifts would make any girl happy this holiday season.

I'll start off with something on the more expensive side, this is great if you are shopping for someone that loves hair tools!
The T3 Micro Mini Miracles Hair Dryer & Flat Iron Set in Rose Gold is $218 on Amazon.com

T3 Micro Mini Miracles Hair Dryer 

T3 hair tools are one of the best on the market right now. This set is perfect for everyday use and traveling since it is a mini set. The white and rose gold color is so chic and very cute! 

Another gift that is on the luxurious side is the Clarisonic Mia1 Gift set! This is an awesome gift set for someone that has been wanting the Clarisonic. It is $103 if you buy it from Amazon.

Clarisonic Mia 1 Facial Cleansing Brush System

I think a great gift that you can't go wrong with is a pair of running shoes. Adidas and Nike are my favorites. The Adidas Cloudfoam Qt Racer Running Shoes, the price ranges from $40-$120.

Another great gift for the winter are Uggs. I love the Ugg Bailey Bow Winter Boot it is between $120-$210 on Amazon. 

These are so cute! They are a little dressier than the plain Ugg boots that everyone seems to have.

Jewelry is another thing that you can't go wrong with. I love to wear stud earrings, but any jewelry will do. 

These gorgeous studs are from Micheal Kors, the Rose Gold and Blush Acetate Round Stud Earrings.

These beautiful earrings would be a great way to change up the usual silver studs that are very common. These are different in a good way.

|| YOUTUBE CHANNELS ||

Beauty Channel: https://www.youtube.com/thesoriameffect4

Lifestyle Channel: http://YouTube.com/SoriamTV

Spanish Beauty Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVp5erjTu3sPPV7pGKjOP8w

|| FOLLOW ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA ||

Instagram: https://instagram.com/the_soriam_effect/

Facebook: http://facebook.com/thesoriameffect

Twitter: https://twitter.com/SorrriamArrrce

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/soriamarce/

Nude Acrylic Set | Behind the Instagram

This set was so pretty. I did this on myself some months back. It is a super short coffin style nail with some colored acrylic and blingy gems!

 I love this nude acrylic from Nova Nails (http://novainc.bigcartel.com) The owner of the store opens the store sporadically, but her acrylic powders are amazing! I have a few different nude acrylic powders. This one is one of my favorites since its just a classic nude color.

Check out her YouTube channel here: NovaNailsInc

To spice up the basic nude nails, I added some free hand art using a white nail polish stripper. To add some bling and glow I used some gorgeous swarovski gems. I'm pretty sure I got the gems off amazon. There are so many sellers that you can get those from. I attached those to my nail with the Nova Inc. nail glue. 

The final step is to apply a topcoat to the nails, and I used a gel topcoat to make the nails extra shiny and to make sure the design stayed on the nails much longer.

|| YOUTUBE CHANNELS ||

Beauty Channel: https://www.youtube.com/thesoriameffect4

Lifestyle Channel: http://YouTube.com/SoriamTV

Spanish Beauty Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVp5erjTu3sPPV7pGKjOP8w

|| FOLLOW ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA ||

Instagram: https://instagram.com/the_soriam_effect/

Facebook: http://facebook.com/thesoriameffect

Twitter: https://twitter.com/SorrriamArrrce

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/soriamarce/

Beauty Favorite of the Week

Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush: Paaarty

This weeks beauty favorite is the Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush in the color Paaarty. Tarte blushes are such high quality and super long lasting. They really last all day long. I've noticed that some other blushes can disappear throughout the day, which can be a pain.

This is such a pretty mauve-y pink. I love using this blush on a daily basis.

|| YOUTUBE CHANNELS ||

Beauty Channel: https://www.youtube.com/thesoriameffect4

Lifestyle Channel: http://YouTube.com/SoriamTV

Spanish Beauty Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVp5erjTu3sPPV7pGKjOP8w

|| FOLLOW ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA ||

Instagram: https://instagram.com/the_soriam_effect/

Facebook: http://facebook.com/thesoriameffect

Twitter: https://twitter.com/SorrriamArrrce

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/soriamarce/