Cup of Charisma

Decor

5 Ways to Use Your Smartphone to Decorate Your Living Space

Big news: we are FINALLY moving! As I type this from my crammed apartment with what sounds like a night club blaring above me, I can not say goodbye to this place sooner. We found a nice apartment building in Uptown that I can’t wait to move into. We’ll have more space, better amenities, an actually OFFICE with a real door (better than my current office situation) and hopefully neighbors who don’t like to play “Drop It Like It’s Hot” on the highest volume at 2 a.m. Aside from a new environment, I’m most excited to decorate our new adobe. Believe it or not, the most valuable tool for home remodeling isn’t a measuring tape or hammer. Right now, it’s probably in your pocket. I’ve rounded up the ways you can use your smartphone to decorate and design your home.

June 22, 2016

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Colors of Summer Party with Brenda Grands

There has been a LOT of color happening on the blog lately. From the Sugar & Cloth Color Wall to the bright Blogger Union meet-up, I’m having a moment with bright hues. When Brenda Grands contacted me with the opportunity to help create a blogger mural, I couldn’t even think to pass it up. Well, joined by four amazing bloggers, we designed a colorful mandala at Pop Shop Houston to be displayed at TOMO Mags.

June 22, 2016

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Style

Palm Tree Print Dress

Disclaimer: This post requires sunglasses to proceed. Prior to the first Blogger Union meet-up last month, I took at trip to the Sugar & Cloth Color Wall with my gals to take an inevitable series of beaming, bright outfit posts. I’m going to be 100% honest here, I have been going through A LOT of ups and downs during the last month. From weight loss to weight gain, happiness to sadness, flash backs to memory lapses and back again, the last month has felt like a stressful roller coaster. While organizing my first event in Houston was a major undertaking, it was a resolution I had set out for since January. I was so proud to pull it off… I made a bold move in an even bolder print.

June 15, 2016

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Style

The Best Summer iPhone Cases

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Summer is here; cue palm tree motifs, floppy hats, umbrella adorned cocktails and sandy toes. For those of us who may not be traveling to far off destinations to soak under a tropical sun and sip margaritas, summer can seem like lots of heat and little action. I’ve yet to plan my summer vacation plans…I’m a tad bit of a procrastinator so most of my summer months will be spent baking under Houston’s insane heat waves and sitting in my air conditioned office. If you have a beach-free summer ahead or you simply can’t wait to take your next big vacation, these summer iPhone cases are the cutest possible way to celebrate the season. I’ve rounded up my favorite fifteen summer iPhone cases to help bring the beach and sunshine to you, no matter where you are this summer.

I’m a serial iPhone case buyer. I love collecting cute cases that have personality and show a bit of quirk. I personally love the ice cream and popsicle shaped cases – they remind me of my childhood summers spent playing outside with friends on my Razor scooter and following the sound of the ice cream truck. (Are there ever any ice cream trucks anymore?!) The Gray Malin case is also a favorite since he’s such a talented photographer. Of course, I had to throw in a little piece of Texas, too, and incorporate cactus into the mix.

Have a favorite case? Tell me in the comments below!

June 13, 2016

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Social Good

Charity of the Moment: JFS

While it’s easy to get wrapped up in the day-to-day of fashion posts, beauty tutorials and millennial musings, I wanted to take today to steer Cup of Charisma back to its roots. I started this blog nearly two years ago to shine a light on cause-driven campaigns and organizations that better the lives of others. To take things back to basics, let’s talk about an organization that’s made large strides in the Houston community since 1913. Jewish Family Service, a leading non-profit human service agency providing light, hope and help to individuals struggling with life challenges, is striking up entertainment for Houston’s millennials. On June 5th, the organization’s 14-year-old annual fundraiser, Reel Hope… A Night at the Movies is being extended to young professionals aged 21-39 years old, for a discounted price 95% off of the regular seat price, at $25 per person.

June 2, 2016

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Travel

How to Fund a Gap Year of Travel

If you’re an adventurer at heart, and many of us are, the idea of hopping on a plane with your passport in hand must sound tempting. There are so many days where I question “what if?” and I’m not alone. During transformative years, and even as an adult, travel holds a certain allure. For many people, that uncertain year after college graduation is prime time for a gap year. For others, a sabbatical from a career for an overseas life can be quite the enchanting idea. The problem with a gap year comes down to one powerful thing: money. Paying for a life abroad is incredibly expensive. So what are your options?

May 30, 2016

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