Tag:

travel

Beauty

Living Proof® Debuted Their Latest Shampoo For Art Basel In Miami

by Aleah Wright
written by Aleah Wright 5 minute read
Image of me smiling holding the Living Proof® Texture Spray.
Image of me holding the new Living Proof® Detox Shampoo and Repair Conditioner.

For Miami’s Art Basel week, the haircare brand Living Proof® hosted a pop-up to celebrate artists and debut one of their latest launches. Over the last few years, Art Basel has grown in popularity with many fashion brands, influencers, and celebrities flocking to Miami to see the latest work in the art world and purchase and sell exclusive pieces. Growing up in the city of palm trees and warm weather, I’ve seen how these art exhibitions have transformed the community for the better.

Living Proof Dry Volume Spray

Scientifically engineered to dial up any look, this finishing styler gives hair immediate and long-lasting volume, texture, and soft hold in just a few sprays. Instantly transforms the appearance of fine, flat, or thin hair while adding major volume, coveted texture and buildable hold with a lived-in look and feel.

Price: $36

Shop Here

Living Proof® hosted their “Come Clean” event in a cute, modern space down in the heart of Wynwood. When I first walked in, I saw these huge iridescent round bubbles scattered across the room. It was so interesting to see because these circular bubbles are supposed to give off the look of sudsy bubbles you get when you mix shampoo with water. I thought that was very creative how they made these bubbles life-size. This was also the perfect setup to get those unique eye-catching photos for Instagram and Pinterest. I took some cute pictures in my Ivy Park set posing with some of their most popular products like the Living Proof® Full Dry Volume & Texture Spray.

Miami Art Basel Experience

@wrightfashions

@Living Proof, Inc. hosted one of the best immersive experiences for Art Basel week in Miami 🤩 #livingproofinc #artbaselmiami #wynwood #art #haircareproducts

♬ chris brown on a neptunes beat by RAYMOND – RAYMOND

Then I visited the “Come Clean Cafe“, where the baristas were serving up sweet treats. They were making nitrogen ice cream which was such a fun experience. You could see the pillows of gas pouring over the huge industrial-sized mixing bowls. I walked up to the front of the counter and ordered vanilla ice cream with silver and blue pearl sprinkles. It was so refreshing to eat on a warm day in Miami.

The cafe bar had strawberry sorbet, artisan charcoal popsicles, and a wide variety of toppings to choose from. Plus, it featured bottles of their latest product the Living Proof® Clarifying Detox Shampoo.

I wanted to learn more about this new shampoo and why they were launching it. So I went into the private screening room to see what the buzz was all about. Entering the room I saw a huge projection of a video being displayed. It showed the main ingredients of charcoal and magnets pulling at the water. This was to demonstrate how the magnetic polymers attract and remove product build-up.

After watching the video, I decided I wanted to get my hands on this shampoo. So I made my way over to the Living Proof® vending machine where I could win some prizes.

At the vending machine, I picked up some goodies like a sample size of the Living Proof® texture spray. It was enclosed in this plastic round ball filled with shredded white crinkle paper. Plus, I received samples of their new Clarifying Detox Shampoo, and the Restore Repair mask. After receiving my samples, I walked over to the bag station where brand ambassadors handed out cute blue plastic tote bags and hats that said: “Come Clean“. I enjoyed how Living Proof® gave out fashionable merchandise. Since the “Come Clean” event I’ve gotten several compliments on my bag.

Living Proof® New Clarifying Shampoo

Image of a framed picture showing the new Living Proof® Detox Shampoo.
Image of the Living Proof® Detox Shampoo against a charcoal prop.

Finally, I go to the last station which is the mural art wall that was painted by a local artist. He used all these gray and teal-colored spray cans to paint a more muted piece of work. I also viewed different photography shots of the Clarifying Detox Shampoo being showcased with its main ingredients. I also appreciated how Living Proof® utilized several elements of art to showcase their new product. For example, my favorite was seeing the actual shampoo perched on this glass charcoal on top of this circular round mirror and encased in this pedestal display. It felt like I was viewing something in an art museum, and saw how this product could exist in so many spaces and mediums.

0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedin
Image of Dallas Zoo Thumbnail
Travel

The Top 3 Reasons To Visit The Dallas Zoo

by Aleah Wright
written by Aleah Wright 10 minute read
Image of me standing in front of the Dallas Zoo sign.

The Dallas Zoo is one place you must visit when you travel to the Lone Star State of Texas. During the summer of 2021, my best friend and I visited and it was such a great experience. The zoo has so much to offer from the exhibits to the wildlife shows and even the encounters.

Dallas Zoo Shows: The Wonders Of The Wild

Image shows a beaver swimming in the stage pool at the Dallas Zoo wildlife show.

Explore and learn more about the wild with Dallas Zoo’s Wonders Of The Wild show. It’s held twice a day once at 11am and another at 1pm. During the show, zoologists talk about how these different animals survive in their environments. In the beginning, the beaver comes out and waddles around until it dives into the stage pool and begins to swim. the long tail of the beaver helps it propel through the water as it makes its way to the other side. The zoologist talks about how intelligent beavers are because they go out and gather wood to build dams over time.

Image of zoo handler holding bald eagle for wildlife show at Dallas Zoo.
Image of zoo handler holding a lesser anteater in her arms.

Next up in the show is the American Bald Eagle and seeing the U.S. national bird that close was very exciting. The first handler uses a thick pair of gloves to let the talons or feet of the eagle rest on it. As she walks around the zoologist speaks about how eagles hunt for fish in rivers using their talons and can have a wingspan of almost 7ft. Finally, the last animal the tamandua, or the lesser anteater is shown to us. The zoologist talks about how the less anteater is the cousin of the giant anteater and can climb up trees. The less anteater can consume up to 9,000 ants a day which is pretty incredible. The wildlife show teaches you so much and gives guests the opportunity to see these animals in action.

Feeding The Giraffes

Image of two young ladies feeding a giraffe lettuce.

The giraffe encounter is one of the treasures of the Dallas Zoo because you get the chance to feed them. This is an amazing experience to be up close and personal with these animals. You can purchase 2 bundles of lettuce for $10 and have your pictures taken while you feed them. I was so surprised to see how long the tongues of giraffes can be when they reach out to eat the lettuce. At first, it can be scary walking up so close to the giraffes but once you start to feed them you can see how gentle they are.

Image of giraffe in enclosure.
Image of two giraffes interacting with each other.

Along with the encounter, you can also see the exhibit of giraffes and how they interact with each other. To see the height of the giraffe in person is breathtaking. The long legs and how they walk so majestically in their enclosures demonstrate how they carry themselves in the deserts of Africa. This exhibit also featured two baby calves that were roaming and playing around. The giraffe feeding encounter is available all day at the Dallas zoo and is one experience worth your while.

Zoo Exhibits: Hippo

Image of the Hippo exhibit at the Dallas Zoo.

The Hippo exhibit was one of my favorites at the Dallas Zoo. In the beginning, you get to see the hippos sunbathing and walking around making noises. It sounds like loud grunting and can be heard miles away but it’s interesting to see that this is how they communicate with each other. After the hippos chat, they make their way into the water submerging their bodies. It’s extraordinary to see the sheer size of these animals and how they carry their weight.

Image of Hippo walking out the water.
Image of two hippos sunbathing.

Once submerged the two hippos take off like torpedoes, swimming in the water and occasionally coming up for air. I was lucky enough to see these two play around with each other up close. You can hear the clicking noises and see how quickly their ears flutter when bobbing in and out of the water. Finally, the two hippos walk up onto the sand and you see how the water glistens off their body. I enjoyed seeing the hippos interact with each other and caught some great shots in the process.

Exhibits: Anteaters, Elephant, and Tortoise

Image of a giant anteater walking around the exhibit at the Dallas Zoo.

The giant anteater which is the cousin of the sloth is a unique-looking creature with its long trunk snout, bear-like claws, and wide bushy tail. Wandering through the enclosure you will see how the anteater walks on its knuckles and pokes through the bark looking for food. It’s interesting to see the multi-color coat and the length it gets to be. As the anteater walks, I get to see how the tail sways in the wind. In this exhibit, you learn how these anteaters hunt for termites and ants in mounds.

Image of the giant Galapagos tortoise.
Image of two elephants interacting with each other.

Dallas Zoo also hosts keeper chats and I was able to sit in on one for the giant Galapagos tortoise. The zoo handler talks about the tortoise’s eyesight, what the shell is made of, and their life in the wild. The tortoise can live to be over 100 years old and grow to knee height. These keeper chats are very informative and allow you to see how these wild animals interact with humans. The elephant exhibit is also one of my favorites and seeing these beautiful animals lock trunks and pick up food is amazing. Looking at elephants always brings me back to my childhood when I would watch Tantor in Disney’s Tarzan.

Meerkat Enclosure

Image of meerkats running around the enclosure.

If you ever watched Meerkat Manor on Animal Planet like I did then you know these animals are very smart hunters and travel in packs. Keeper chats were held at the meerkat enclosure and I learned so much about their diet and environment. It was so funny to see these meerkats pop their heads up from under the rocks. The keeper even demonstrated how meerkats stand on their hind legs when looking for food. You can hear the noises and clicks of the meerkats as they communicate with each other.

Tickets and Dining

Image of the elephant statue at the Dallas Zoo.
Image of the sign for the African Savanna exhibit.

Tickets to visit the Dallas Zoo are about $20 for adults and $16 for youth. If you’re looking to save a bit more money visit the zoo on the first Tuesday of every month for $8 admission. Parking is $10 and you can also bring your own food and snacks inside. The food options at the zoo were really good and dining at the Prime Meridian Cafe is a must. You can choose from a wide selection of meals like pizza, burgers, and ice cream. Plus they offer gluten-free options for guests that have dietary restrictions.

Finally, stop by the gift shop to pick up some merchandise as a memory of your visit. I usually purchase keychains or refrigerator magnets as a keepsake. These mementos will always remind me of the fun times I had visiting the Dallas Zoo.

Table of contents

0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedin
Image of me holding passport with the title saying Quick Guide on Getting a U.S. passport
Travel

The Best Ways To Get A U.S. Passport For A Trip

by Aleah Wright
written by Aleah Wright 8 minute read
Check Out My Latest Video

The process of getting a U.S. Passport can be a lengthy one, from passport photos to applications it can all take time. But, getting a U.S. Passport is one of the best investments you can make because you get to travel the world. It’s a life-changing experience to visit countries like Italy or France and immerse yourself in their culture. You get the opportunity to try new foods from different cities and see famous landmarks like the Eiffel Tower or the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

*Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links that help to support the blog, Thanks!

Image depicts the famous Eiffel Tower
The Eiffel Tower
Image depicts The famous Leaning Tower of Pisa
The Leaning Tower of Pisa

The Benefits of a U.S. Passport

There are many benefits when it comes to getting a passport. First, the U.S. passport is one of the most powerful passports. You can travel to over 150 countries without a visa. Generally, getting a visa can be a long process and have several requirements. Secondly, collecting stamps in your passport is a great keepsake for your travel memories. Thirdly, if you ever want to live, work, or study abroad in a foreign country a passport is needed to apply for a visa. Lastly, it’s your golden ticket to seeing the world. Traveling internationally has changed my perspective on life and I know it will for you too!

United States Passport

Passport Photos

Passport photos will be the first thing you need before filling out your application. You can get your photos taken at Walgreens, FedEx, UPS, CVS, and The Post Office. First, go online and set up an appointment or call ahead. Next, when you arrive check in at the photocenter. An employee will help by having you stand against a plain white background and explain the next steps. It’s important to remember that glasses can not be worn unless for medical reasons. Also, uniforms aren’t allowed, and head coverings can be worn for religious purposes only.

You can come dressed in casual clothing and don’t forget to smile for the camera. Taking your pictures will take about 10 minutes. Once complete it will take another 10 minutes for the photos to develop and print. In total, it’ll cost you between $15 – $16 to receive two 2×2 inch travel compliant photos. This step of the process will be the fastest and easiest part of your application.

The United States Postal Office

Image of United States Postal Service logo

The Post Office is the most economical way to get your passport. I obtained my passport through the postal service when I studied abroad in Italy for a semester. These steps will make it easy to fill out your application. First, select a time and date using the USPS Online Scheduler tool. If this is your first time applying for a passport then you must go in person for your appointment. You must also be in person if the first passport you had was as a minor and now you’re getting a new one as an adult.

Application Form and Fees

Secondly, you need to fill out the DS-11 Passport Application form and take it in unsigned. It’s important to leave this form unsigned because a Postal employee must witness you sign this application. This form is very thorough and lists out all the documents you need like a driver’s license, birth certificate, and photos. Also, on page 4 of the application, you will see a section for passport photos, staple all 4 corners of your photo to the form.

Finally, let’s talk about fees. The United States Postal Service will charge you a $35 acceptance fee for sending off your application. Then the Department of State will charge you $130 for a passport book (valid for international travel via land, air, and sea). You can also purchase a passport card for $30 (valid for travel by land or sea to Mexico, Bermuda, Canada, and the Caribbean). In total, you will pay $165 for the passport book and acceptance fee. These fees can be paid via money order, cashier’s check, traveler’s check, or personal check. All these fees are sent directly to the Post Office and Department of State when you turn in the application.

It will take about 4 to 10 weeks to process your forms. You can track the status of this by using USPS Tracking and by checking The Department of State. After your forms are processed and accepted the Post Office will send a new passport book to your mailing address.

FedEx

Image of the FedEx logo

FedEx will be the most costly option but will get your passport to you in a hurry. They have partnered with RushMyPassport to help you with your application, and shipping needs. FedEx will also take and provide the photos needed for the passport application. It will cost you $14.95 to receive two passport photos. Next, fill out their forms online. You can get a new passport if you’re 16 years or older and never had one or have an expired passport of 5 years or more.

Shipping and Costs

A nice perk to using FedEx is that you can reach out to a passport advisor about any questions you have. There are two options to choose from when you start the application. For Expedited service with FedEx, it will cost you $189 and take up to 5 weeks to process and get your passport book. For Smart service, it will cost $109 and take up to 8 weeks to receive your book. Then create your GovWorks account and fill out all the required information. This will take about 20 minutes to complete. Then, go to FedEx to print out your forms and have them ship it off. The shipping will cost $19 each way and will be added to your total amount. The express services with shipping fees tacked on will cost you between $147- $230.

Once FedEx is paid you will have to send another money order or check to the Department of State in the amount of $208. The $208 fee covers the passport book ($130) and the expedited fee ($60) plus taxes. What you pay FedEx and the Department of State are two separate fees and in total can cost you between $360 – $435. This option is costlier because essentially you pay the same fees to two different entities. This method would be good for someone who already does business with FedEx and has an account with them. Otherwise, see about the Passport Agency and only pay the fees once.

RushMyPassport.com

Passport Agency

Image of US passport application

Traveling in the next two weeks? Then the Passport Agency is for you. The United States Passport Agency offers two types of appointments Life or Death Travel service and Urgent Travel service. There are 26 passport agencies located in several major U.S. cities. Over the last few years, some rules have been implemented. Pre-COVID-19 travelers were able to book appointments online for last-minute travel within 14 days. Now, you must call the agency to set up an appointment. This was implemented to help combat third-party bots taking appointments and selling them to travelers. When you call in, the agency representative will give you unique information over the phone that will be used to verify your appointment by the staff.

Getting Your Passport The Same Day

You will need to have the appointment confirmation number, one passport photo, the passport application with supporting documents, and proof of 14-day travel with a plane ticket or hotel reservation. It’s crucial to arrive early to your appointment as it takes 10-15 minutes to get you checked in. Lastly, be prepared to pay $190 ($130 for passport + $60 expedited fee) via debit, credit, money order, or exact cash. The agency is fairly quick and will have your passport ready that same day as the appointment. This method will be the quickest way to get your passport. This helps alleviate the stress of losing out on money for prepaid travel plans because a passport is needed to get to your destination.

Passport Tips & Renewals

These are some of the best ways you can obtain a passport if this is your first time or it’s been a while. If you’re looking to renew your passport next check out my guide on “The Best Ways To Renew Your U.S. Passport”.

Table of contents

0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedin
Image of PayPal and United Cash Back Promo
Travel

Get $15 Cash Back Easily with PayPal on United Airlines

by Aleah Wright
written by Aleah Wright 5 minute read
PayPal promotion with United Airlines
Image from PayPal

Use a PayPal QR code on a United Airlines flight and get cash back instantly. These QR codes are secure, touch-free payments that make it quick and seamless to complete transactions.

PayPal QR Codes and United Airlines

Recently, United Airlines and PayPal partnered together to give travelers the option to pay for in-flight snacks, and beverages using QR Codes. This new form of accepted payment encourages contactless purchases on board and the use of technology. To spread the word about this new feature, PayPal is rolling out a cash-back incentive for United Airlines customers.

The Promotion and How I used it

PayPal is running a promotion now until September 20th, 2022 where you can get $15 dollars in cash back when you make an in-flight purchase on a domestic flight. I took advantage of this promotion by purchasing a small can of Pringles chips for $4 dollars on my flight to Miami.

This allowed me to get the least expensive item while getting the highest amount in cash back. You can get this incentive by downloading the PayPal app. First, check your Apple and Google stores for the app and begin to set up your account.

Image of transaction for United Airlines from PayPal.
PayPal Receipt of United In-Flight Purchase
Image of PayPal In-flight purchase setup page in the app
Link Debit Card To In-Flight Wallet

Using the PayPal App To Recieve Cash-Back

Using the PayPal app to get cash back is simple, easy, and fast. First, set up any debit or travel credit card to your digital PayPal wallet. This must be done before boarding your flight since you will still have cellular service. Next, click the QR icon in the right-hand corner this will take you to the next page where you have the option to scan, show to pay, or get paid. Tap on the show to pay and click on in-flight purchases. Then, click update preferences and link your preferred card to that wallet.

Using this feature is great because wi-fi is not needed. When the flight attendant takes your order, simply open the app, click the QR code icon, tap in-flight purchase, and a QR code will pop up. Show this to the flight attendant to scan so the money can be debited from the card set up in your wallet.

Image of $15 cash back in the PayPal account
PayPal Account Showing Cash Back
Image of e-mail from PayPal confirming $15 cash back has been sent.
E-mail Confirming Cash Back

The cash back amount will show up in your account and you will receive an e-mail confirming the transaction. When you get the $15 dollars back you can decide to transfer it to your bank or keep it within PayPal. This is a great way to build up extra cash for other items you may be looking to purchase. Plus, you get to experience using a new service through PayPal.

Want to learn how to get started with PayPal? Use My PayPal invite to earn cash back and for the first $5 dollars you spend, you will receive $10 dollars back. This referral helps to support the blog, thank you so much for your readership.

Table of contents

0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedin
@2020 - All Rights Reserved. Copyright. Wright Fashions LLC.

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Accept Read More

Close