BestieTalks

Raynita

I try to live everyday with a smile and my family makes that really easy. I enjoy traveling, fitness, anything adventurous, and music festivals. I am excited to take on this adventure with my bestie!

Packing Tutorial

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Packing Like A Pro

I have taken a pretty good amount of trips on airplanes and quickly felt ridiculous paying and waiting for a checked bag. Having a checked bag didn’t last long on our adventures. I became determined to fit everything in a carry-on and a personal bag for all my trips here on out. Now, I want to share my packing skills with you too so that you never have to pay for a checked bag again!

First Things First…

This suitcase has been all around the world with me and has never let me down.

The first important thing about packing is having the right suitcase. The suitcase needs to have areas for packing on both sides of it. Extra pockets are always a plus too. I found my Olympia suitcase at Ross for under $50. Having wheels and a handle is also a must for easy mobility and zooming through the airport. As you can see, I am able to put clothing in both compartments on each side. This is crucial for long trips. 

Begin Packing

When I know I have a big trip coming up, I like to start a pile of things I know I want to bring. So the week of or the week before, once things start coming out of the washer, I begin setting them aside in our guest room. This can be clothing, shoes, accessories, or anything that you know you want to bring and not forget. 

These are a few things I knew I wanted to bring for my Euro trip.

 Some Things I Always Pack

  • A bathing suit is always in my suitcase. You never know when you’re going to need one and it is always nice to check out the pool and spa at the hotel your staying at. 
  • Workout clothes are also a must. My workout usually doesn’t stop just because I’m traveling. Some hotels even have loner shoes and workout clothes you can borrow for your stay.
  • Tennis shoes are important for those days exploring the city. Plus, when you want to do something adventurous like ATV riding or ziplining, tennis shoes are required.
  • A dress that I can dress up or down is always nice to have too. You might have a nice dinner one evening but if not, you can wear it with a little cover up to make it more casual.
  • A denim button-down shirt is so versatile that it’s absolutely needed. I love pairing it with a dress or tying it around my waist with other outfits. It also works great all by itself too.
  • Belts are usually a no-brainer but it does suck when you forget one. One time my husbands’ zipper broke on a bag that he got free from a cologne purchase (those are usually cheap, believe me, I tried to tell him that) and we used a belt to keep the bag closed until we got home. Talk about multipurpose.

Now The Packing

Down to the nitty-gritty, the packing. The key to packing is rolling, rolling, rolling! Roll everything. From your underwear to your jeans, rolling them lets them take up the least amount of room possible. Don’t just do a loose roll, roll those clothes tight. For my jeans, I roll them from the top to the bottom. My socks are fully tucked into each other and then stuffed into my shoes. Now as to your packing your rolled up clothes, make sure “pack and push”, meaning put one article in the suitcase and when you put the next one in, push that previous article in there as tight as possible. Again, this will eliminate any extra space that wasn’t used before. Once you have the bottom layer in, feel free to make another layer on top of that one if needed. 

This is 2 layers of rolled clothes on one side of my suitcase.

Toiletries 

This is my bag fully packed.

My toiletry bag usually stays packed. It has a toothbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash, a shower cap, shampoo, conditioner, and lotion (because you might not like the ones at the hotel). My bestie Jess got me the cutest Maid-of-honor makeup bag and its pretty big. It holds all my makeup as well as my face wash, serum, and hair supplies. I put these two bags on the opposite side of my clothes when packing. When I leaving from an American airport, I never have to take out the liquid bottles at the TSA lines. However, when traveling abroad, they have been a little more strict and I would have to put some in the see-through plastic bag. No biggie though. 

You Can Do It!

I have used this bag for a two-week trip, to travel to 4 different countries and attend a wedding, all in a carry-on. It can be done! I was even able to buy some souvenirs and some clothing that I just had to have. Just remember to use all the unused space as possible. Fold and roll everything as small as possible. Don’t worry, you will be able to iron or steam out any wrinkles and if you want to get really fancy you can use the hotel’s laundry service and get items pressed or washed. Packing shouldn’t be a hassle. Stay calm and know that you can bring a backpack as your personal item and stuff your purse in there too. Try to stay away from over packing and never bring anything you haven’t worn before because chances are that you’re not going to wear it on this trip either. 

Do you have any packing tips? What do you hate or love about packing? Share with us. 

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Tea Tree & Coconut Oil

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Simple Works

Jess and I are both believers in simplicity in products that we use or put into our bodies. Over the years we have found simple ingredients that we have around the house that also works wonders as products for our bodies. For our first topic on this, we are going to focus on the ways we use tea tree oil and coconut oil.  

Tea Tree Oil

We use this wonderful all natural oil for so much in our homes. Here are some of the ways we like to use it.

  • Dandruff Eliminator – Tea tree oil is a natural alternative for hair care. Not only does it help eliminate dandruff, it gives your hair this great smell. Tea tree oil fights off the fungus that causes dandruff. After taking my hair out of a weave or braids, my scalp is so dry and can have clusters of dandruff.  I like to do a deep scalp massage with tea tree oil.  The oil gives your scalp this tingling refreshing feeling without any harsh chemicals.
  • Hair Growth – This oil helps unclog pores and feeds the root which promotes hair growth. You can simply add the tea tree oil to your shampoo or for a more intense repair, you can add the tea tree oil to one of your favorite oils, massage it into the scalp and hair, let sit for 15mins, then wash. 
  • Hot Oil Treatment – I grew up getting hot oil treatments from my mom. A hot oil treatment is a deep conditioning with warmed oil that you massage all over your scalp and throughout your hair. Tea Tree oil should not be the base oil but an addition. I like to use 3 to 5 tablespoons of Argon oil and add 5 to 7 drops of tea tree oil to the Argon oil. Once the hair is coated, wrap the hair in a towel or put on a shower cap and let it penetrate the hair for 30-45 mins. Rinse your hair and blow dry as usual. You’ll feel an instant difference. 
  • Bath – Tea tree oil can be used for a soothing bath. Whether you have itchy skin or just want to relax, adding a few drops of tea tree oil along with a couple of tablespoons of Olive, Jojoba, or Coconut oil will help soothe you.  
  • Bug Bites – Tea Tree oil helps relieve itching, pain, swelling, and inflammation caused by those pesky bug bites. Once again, mix a few drops of tea tree oil with a couple of tablespoons of natural oil and rub onto your bug bite for instant relief.

 Coconut Oil

This is probably our favorite oil! It is so versatile and used for EVERYTHING!!!! Coconut oil is a natural healthy fat and considered a superfood. Basically anytime you need some type of oil for ANYTHING, use coconut oil.  We can’t wait to tell you all the ways we love using this magic oil!  

  • Cooking – Coconut oil is great to use for cooking because you can saute and fry food at a high temperature and it is very healthy for you. Not only can you use it on your pans, you can also use it any time a recipe calls for a type of cooking oil. 
  • Moisturizer – This is my favorite thing to lather myself in after a shower. Coconut oil naturally nourishes your body while preventing wrinkles and gives you a glow that is undeniable. It is my secret facial moisturizer (ssshhhh) and actually absorbs quick and doesn’t leave me feeling too oily. 
  • Popping Popcorn – We both love making fresh popcorn and making it with coconut oil makes it healthier. You can also drizzle it on top before adding your salt. So tasty!
  • Makeup Remover – This is the most gentle and effective makeup remover I have ever used! Gently rub it on in a circular motion and wipe off with a warm towel. 
  • Soothing Oil – This is the perfect oil to use after shaving or a wax. It soothes your skin and doesn’t burn at all. Your cuticles love it too. 

Share!

We would love for you to share the ways you use tea tree oil or coconut oil. Have you found anyways these have changed your life? How about any fails? Either way, we want to hear from you!

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Activities and Events in Your Community

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Now is the Time!

Seasons have changed and the weather is great! Having such nice weather gives more opportunities to do outdoor activities and events. Most communities offer tons of things to do around this time of year when it begins to warm up. Even if you don’t live in a big city, you may have a nearby community that holds events and activities that you can attend.  You’d be surprised to see what fun things that have been popping up. I encourage you to go out, try something new and fun, and meet some new people in your community.

How To Find Events

Beer and Yoga in a local brewery, count me in!

So, now that you know that there are many communities out there that host fun activity; I am going to tell you how to find them. The internet and social media are great uses of marketing for events. This is where you will find most advertisements for fun activities. Advertising and marketing your event online is both beneficial to the host and the consumer. The host gets to see the analytical side of things and keep track of RSVPs and payments they may receive in advance. The consumer gets the information at their fingertips and is sent reminders, information, and details about the event. The list I have put together is in no particular order. Please, take a look and start planning to attend one near you!

Ways to Find Events Near You

  • Your Local News Paper– Yes, newspapers are still around. Some host still takes ads out in newspapers so, it could be a good place to look.
  • Eventbrite.com– This site is used exclusively for events. You will be able to search for events based on location, name, or activity, and even reserve and or pay for your spot. It is a great site to browse, create, and promote local events.
  • Groupon.com– Groupon is a great place to find events at a discount. Here you may be able to find outdoor concert tickets, whitewater rafting adventures, and so much more. Make sure you read the fine print about dates you can use your voucher.
  • Facebook.com– This link takes you straight to the event page on Facebook.  The event page will tell you the name of the event, the host, where it will be, how much it cost (if there is a cost), and what to expect at the event. Here, you can also pick if you are interested in the event, going or maybe. Once that is marked, you will be sent updates and reminders.
  • Google.com– On Google, you can literally type in “events near me” in the search engine and events will pop up that are near your location.
  • DoStuff– This is an app that is dedicated to helping you find things to do. They currently list events for North America’s 20 largest cities. Event recommendations and maps make it easy to find your event and you are able to create your own profile and add it to your personal calendar.
  • HeyLets– HeyLets is a community driven app where people that have been to the place or event are able to add their own pictures of the time spent there as well as feedback and comments about the event. You can also make a wish list and get alerts about events that go with your interest.
  • Yelp– Yelp is a one-stop shop. It gives all the details you are looking for and provides reviews from real people. Yelp is used worldwide and they too, conveniently have a great app. 
  • All Events in City– This is a great website and app that gives you a complete rundown of what is going on in your city. You can browse through concerts, exhibits, meetups, food events, festivals, sports and so much more! They have events from over 300,000 cities in the world so, you are bound to find something you like, in a city near you.

Now Go Do Something!

We have an awesome local Baseball team that has super fun eventful games and we are the triple-A team for the championship Houston Astros!

Now that you know exactly how to find something to do, put it on your calendar, invite some friends and do it! This is an awesome way to support and be active in your community, while also having an enjoyable time. I encourage you to try something new and meet a few new people. I promise you it won’t disappoint!

Let us know what you do to be apart of your community and how you find out about local events.

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Vision Boards

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Motivation

Most people use vision boards as motivation. It is a way to visualize your life desires. I am a visual learner that likes to see a goal, chart, or map and work towards the objective. Vision boards are so inspiring! Making a vision board for any aspect of life where you need motivation can be a great idea if you are a visual person. You create your own vision by adding your own inspirations. The key is to place the vision board somewhere where you will see it every day. That could be as a screen saver on your phone or computer, placing it in your room, or on your fridge. Make sure it is placed in an area where you can stay motivated.

Make It YOUR Own

This was my vision board from mid-2017. On this board, I was focused on fitness, travel, and food.

No vision board is the same! That’s because the goal is specific to YOU. When designing your vision board, you are focusing on yourself and the areas you want to improve, grow, or change. This is where it is okay to be selfish and think about yourself. The other thing that is enjoyable is that you can specify boards for certain reseasons.

Recently, my husband and I decided to redo our backyard. So, of course, I started pinning away to my Pinterest “dream backyard board” but then, I close the app and it’s gone. Just like that and barely looked back at again. Therefore, that’s why a vision board works here for me. I can buy yard magazines, cut out yards, flowers, accessories, or layouts that I like and use them to come up with a backyard inspiration vision board. Then, I like to place it by a window that looks towards the backyard.

Let’s Make A Vision Board!

How often do you get to use scissors and glue, and make a collage pertaining to you? This is basically what you’re gonna do. Pick some of your favorite magazines and materials and let’s get started!

  1. Think about your intentions for your vision board. (Fitness, Travel, Fashion, Eating Right, etc.)
  2. Gather your materials. ( Glue, Scissors, Board, Magazines, Textures, etc.)
  3. Find a place where you can focus and relax. 
  4. Find your images, words, and materials that pertain to you and your intentions for this vision board. 
  5. I like to lay the pieces out before I glue them on. Then you can begin pasting. Cover every inch.
  6. The board is done! Remember to place it somewhere you will see it EVERYDAY!

You tend to have more appreciation for something you make with your hands rather than using your phone or tablet to pin it on a board. Be proud of your vision board and use it to help reach your goals!

Jessica’s vision board for the start of 2018.

Let us know if you have ever made a vision board and share some pics with us!

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Music Festival Backpack Checklist

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Music Festival Season is Here!

Music Festival season is officially in full swing! I always feel like the first weekend of Coachella sets off the season. Well, that time is here and we are here to help you pack your music festival essentials.

  • A hat– Festivals last all day and night and to have the sun blazing down on you for hours, can really take a toll on you. Having a hat on hand can make those sun-filled days easier or come in handy if a little rain is in the forecast.
  • Sunglasses– You don’t want to be that ridiculous person who’s holding their hand as a visor while looking at the stage.
  • Light Jacket or Wind Breaker– It gets cold at night and it can be dusty. Bring something that condenses down so it doesn’t take up much space in your bag.
  • Sunscreen– Your skin will get a shade darker! If that color is more tan or red, just beware that the sun shows no mercy.
  • Water Bottle– Don’t bring a metal bottle (Yeti’s, Hydroflask, or any other kind). Metal bottles aren’t allowed at most festivals. Bring a reusable one or even those water pouches that fold up. Hydration stations are usually in the festival for your convenience.
  • Hand Sanitizer– It gets pretty dirty out there. A hand washing station may not be near so, keep some sanitizer on deck is always a good idea.
  • Bandana– You can get multiple uses out of this! Use it to cover your face from the dust, wipe the sweat off your sweaty head and neck, drench it in water and put it around your neck to cool down, or wear it as an accessory to your festival outfit.
  • Tissue– Those little-prepacked tissues come in handy. You might get a stuffy nose or tears from an amazing set (guilty), and tissues will be needed.
  • Medicine– Whether it be Ibprophen or allergy medicine, you don’t want to be caught without the two when you need them badly.
  • Band-aid Set– These usually come in a very small pack with 2 to 3 different size band-aids and an alcohol swab. If anything major happens, you can always hit up the First Aid tent too.
  • Wet wipes- These can be used for almost anything. Toliet paper, feeling sticky, or a face wipe are all situations where wipes will be handy.
  • Deodorant– Speaking of sticky…No one likes to have their show interrupted by the stench coming off of you.
  • Snacks– If the festival permits it, do it! Bag up your own snacks because the original bag is usually filled with air which just takes up more room. But, remember to check the rules before all your snacks end up in the trash at the entrance gates.
  • Beach Blanket– These are the blankets that roll up really small and have a side that is meant for the ground. Again, read the rules before packing this too. Some festivals don’t permit this item.
  • Phone Charger or Extra Battery– Most festivals have phone charging stations. Bring a charger and or an extra battery pack.
  • Contraband– If you plan on bringing your party contraband remember, you will be getting searched. However, it’s comparable to airport searches. They’re looking for weapons, alcohol, and other sharp or metal objects.

Plan Ahead

Jess, Ray, and Method Man at Rock The Bells, 2012.

Make sure you check the weather prior to packing. Place all your festival items together including the TICKETS or BRACELETS! Download an app that the festival might have available. They usually provide a map with bathroom and stage locations, so grab or download that too. Most of the items on the list are available at your local Dollar Tree and make sure you get them in travel sizes.  One backpack is plenty of room for 2 or more people. You can take turns wearing it and fill it with any other merchandise you may buy. If you really wanna party and have your hands free, wear a fanny pack! Make sure you are aware of your belongings because people can still be shady at such great events. Remember you are there with thousands of other fun festival goers. Stay positive and be nice to others because everyone is there to have a good time. You guys all share one thing in common… the love of music!

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Happy Birthday Juanita V.

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Happy Birthday, Mom!

My mom celebrating her last birthday on earth in Santa Cruz.

Today is my dear mothers birthday. She would have turned 55 years old. My mom died 14 days after her 41st birthday. She was so young, as was I. I was only 14 years old when I lost my best friend, my mom.  This year marks 14 years that she has been gone.  I had the best childhood and was taught so much about life through the eyes of my mother. I am so THANKFUL for every single moment we had together! I think about her daily and see her in me constantly. I use her teachings every day and strive to be the tenacious woman that she was. My mom exemplified what a strong woman is! She will forever be my hero.

14 years ago, I wrote this poem I am about to share with you. It was shortly after moving to San Jose and meeting Jessica. I recently just found this poem in an old childhood keepsake box my Dad had in storage. It is crazy to read it now and have some of the same feelings while others withered away. I hope this poem shows you the feelings of me at 14, a motherless daughter.

I Am A Motherless Daughter

(To my lovely Mother)

I am a motherless daughter, away from everything she loves

I am from a small town where everyone knows everyone

I have never been away from home until now

But I have grown to love this city too

Someday I want to make my family proud

I am a motherless daughter, away from everything she loves.

I wish my mom was still by my side

I feel happy when we reminisce about her gorgeous smile

I worry about the day I get my moms’ age at death

I am sad because she left me with no notice or even a real goodbye

I get frustrated when no one understands the feelings I have

I am a motherless daughter, away from everything she loves

I dream of the day I see her eyes glazing into mine again

I understand I have to play the cards that are dealt to me

I make a stand for anything and everything I believe in

Sometimes I don’t speak my mind about my true feelings at a certain time

I try to be loved but no one will ever love me how she does

I am a motherless daughter, away from everything she loves.

By: Raynita

One of the last pictures my mom and I took together.
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