Author: Jillian

This post has been sponsored by Neutrogena®. All thoughts and opinions are my own. “I thought acne ended after puberty,” my boyfriend once said as he looked at me, as I stressed out over a breakout in the mirror. Growing up, I always thought acne was a teenage phase we get through by 18, but clinical studies show that 54 percent of adult women have occasional acne, too. To be honest, I’ve struggled with hormonal breakouts and stress acne my entire life. Thankfully, I’ve grown in confidence since puberty and have learned to love my skin in adulthood—even with its…

Color Factory is adding rainbows and sunshine to Houston. The 14-room exhibit that originated in San Francisco has brought a world of color to Texas in its third showroom. I had an opportunity to take a tour of the space before opening day and was able to get the inside scoop on some of the biggest highlights at Color Factory. From a floating confetti room to an interactive coloring book, each installation is more enthralling and interactive than the next. Unlike its competitors, Color Factory is more than a pretty photo backdrop, it’s an immersive experience. It’s Unique to Houston Yes,…

Dress (c/o Chicwish) // Earrings (different color) // Sunglasses (similar) Who doesn’t have a bookshelf full of self-help books in their home? We’re all seeking to better ourselves constantly, but life can feel overwhelming when we view it from the scope of our phones. From playing the comparison game on social media to reading the barrage of negative headlines about the state of the world, negativity can feel like it’s invading our personal space and our psyche. It can be hard to be optimistic in a world where politics have become toxic and self-preservation feels futile. I, for one, have felt more down than…

I still remember the first chilly morning I reached for my brown teddy coat. I had thrown it on over pajamas to fetch coffee and ended up running an unexpected errand in town. By the time I got back, I felt warm, confident and somehow ready to tackle the day. That moment taught me that a teddy coat can be more than just practical outerwear. It can become the signature piece that ties together everything you wear. Choosing the Right Teddy Coat Before you start planning outfits, find a coat that fits both your style and your life. Keep these…

It’s often rare to come across people “living to work” and not working to live, especially with a purpose. We face the pressures to climb the ladder, earn a solid income, face the daily grind to make ends meet and more. Few people have the courage to make their work reflect their life’s purpose—few people are like the Dalwadi family who founded Hotel Ylem, a socially conscious Houston hotel that gives back in so many ways. When Hotel Ylem invited me to attend a Blogger Sleepover, I was excited to get some R&R time with my friend Shalanda and be…

There aren’t many things I’m certain of in life, but I am pretty certain about this: no matter where you are and what timezone you’re in, there is an 80% chance I have my earbuds in at this very moment. While I love me some Kishi Bashi and Avett Brothers, I’m not listening to music. I, my friends, am a serial podcast listener. On the weekly basis, I shuffle through podcast after podcast—obsessing over the New & Noteworthy and critiquing episodes. Sure, this mild obsession with the art of listening started when I first learned of Serial and listened to the criminal…