Denali loves Encore Montrose

Denali and I are a package deal. Denali is my 15-year-old super grumpy, totally deaf and blind, overweight chihuahua. And to be frank, he’s probably more high maintenance than me.

Having a Montrose apartment that is dog-friendly (as in, one that actually loves dogs, not simply tolerates them) is incredibly important.

Here are some pet-friendly reasons I love living at Encore Montrose:

1. There’s a huge dog run and pet spa. Denali loves his time to roam around and enjoy fresh air just like you and I, so this is a great spot (and it’s completely gated, so it feels super safe and easy late at night).
2. The main reason I have a balcony is because of Denali (as pictured above). I wish I had a huge house with a big yard where he could soak up the sun all day long, but this is the next best thing, especially when the weather is nice. I leave the patio door open and he comes in and out as he pleases, and it’s quite nice for us both.
3. There are tons of other friendly dogs on site. Not that he plays with them, but it makes me (as a dog owner) feel comfortable and always at home with him. (I’ve traveled to many hotels that claim they are pet-friendly, but we are both looked at as a nuisance, which never feels great.)
4. Our Montrose neighborhood is walkable and a beautiful way to enjoy Houston. We live right next to Black Hole Coffee, which is surrounded by unique homes and plenty of space. We are also just a few streets away from Rice Village and Rice University and if you’ve ever been around those tree-lined streets, you know how gorgeous it is. Denali doesn’t “get out” often, but when I want some fresh air and sunshine for myself, it’s an easy place to take him.
5. They just created a Pet of the Month contest, and Denali is dying to win.

This is part of a sponsored blog series with Encore Montrose. Did you know these pet-friendly Montrose apartments offer a “champagne tour”? Champagne makes everything better, especially when it comes to moving and a yearlong commitment. Encore Montrose is offering major move-in specials, including up to two months free rent, so don’t miss out. Shoot me an email if you’re interested in touring or stop by Encore Montrose (4508 Graustark Street) and tell them Jayme (or The Blonde Side) sent you! 

Dani & Andrea (FaceForward Makeup) at Encore Montrose Girl’s Night

I never imagined I’d be one throwing a Galentine’s Party (I usually prefer to sulk around the V-Day holiday), but I did and it was a blast!

Did you know February 13th is officially marketed as Galentine’s Day? I thought it was just an idea, but it’s an actual day for celebration, and I for one am all about celebrating my gal pals any day of the week. 

I love having friends over and just gabbing over some wine and more (y’all know Infinite Monkey Theorem is my favorite wine). So I decided to invite some friends over and told them to bring business cards to network and just hang out – showcase our love for one another. We played games (include Mad Libs for adults, which was hysterical), indulged in way too many baked goodies, took selfies, boomerangs and more girly things (see below).

A few thank you/love notes:

Thanks to Encore Montrose for letting us use the amazing Club House. We

Encore Montrose Galentine’s Party

had plenty of room for Prosecco Pong (oh yes!), gathering and talking, eating and drinking, etc.

Thanks to Kendra Scott for donating some amazing pieces of jewelry for raffle items. I fully support and appreciate businesses who give back. The Rice Village Kendra Scott store donated the items, so GO SHOP THERE!

My friend Andrea with FaceForward Makeup and Tanning gave out some free makeup lessons and applications and showcased her brand-new line of makeup. I have long supported this gal and so proud of her new line!

Best Houston Dentist: Dentistry of the Oaks

My friend Katie (Dr. Stuchlik ) at Dentistry of the Oaks donated the wine glasses. Not only is she a good friend from years and years ago, she is my dentist and I highly recommend her and her brand-new practice over near the Houston Heights (on West 34th St.).

My pals at Orangetheory Fitness Houston donated some free workout cards too, so I’m trying to talk some friends into a sweat sesh soon. Stay tuned on that!

This is post is part of a sponsored series with Encore Montrose. I am using the blog to share what I love about Houston, and specifically Montrose, plus all the tips, tricks and amenities along the way. These luxury Montrose apartments are now offering some great leasing specials. Drop a comment or an email if you’re interested in touring or stop by Encore Montrose and tell them Jayme (or The Blonde Side) sent you!

February ACQUA Med Spa Specials

I’ve blogged about my recent amazing experiences at ACQUA Med Spa, especially my recent lip filler experience with Braidee. Well guess what? It’s February and they are all about spreading the love – in the form of amazing specials and discounts.

Check out a few of these February Houston Med Spa specials below:

• $100.00 off all fillers for February to get that perfect valentines pout
• $250.00 off a package of Votiva
• 10% off a package of 6 laser hair reduction treatments (I had this years ago and yes, it takes about 6 treatments for the best results and no, it doesn’t really hurt!)
• During the week of 2/11/19 – 2/15/19, take advantage of $10/units of Botox – but there’s a catch – you’ve got to bring a friend who is new to ACQUA (and then you can both go out for drinks and selfies afterwards!), so win-win.
• As always, mention me (Jayme or The Blonde Side works) and you’ll get 20% off any other services (not on top of the specials above, because they’re already amazing specials)

Schedule your FREE consultation by calling 281.480.1200. They have three amazing injectors on-site (Braidee, Alexis and Arika) and they’re all equally awesome, plus Kendra does on-site CoolSculpting as well! 

If you have any questions about lip fillers or Botox or anything else, let me know in the comments or shoot me a message. I love finding out the info and am happy to share it! I know most people are hush-hush about these things, but not your girl over here!

Working from home tips: Montrose Apartment

I definitely have a non-traditional job, having created my own niche as a sports + travel + fitness writer as well as corporate copywriter and micro-influencer (no wonder my parents have a hard time understanding what I do), but with that comes the opportunity (and distraction) of working from home.

It’s been a daily struggle for me (going on eight years now) working from home, so I thought the New Year was the perfect time to share some personal tips working from home and how to excel, even if it’s from the comforts of your couch. Because we all know, I love my couch.

If you have the option, choose a house or apartment that is conducive to working from home. I have a one-bedroom at Encore Montrose, but I choose a floor plan with a tiny little nook tucked away in the bedroom that was the perfect office space. Plus, it overlooked the courtyard’s bright flower wall, which was a huge seller for me. Obviously I’d prefer a two-bedroom, but it wasn’t necessary, nor was it in my budget, so the little office nook was more than enough.

Along with choosing the right floor plan (I’m not saying move just for a nook, obvi), I love that my Montrose apartments have a brand-new Conference Room, where I’m able to work when I’m on deadline. In fact, I’ve already had a few friends come over for “co-working days,” which allows me to knock “work harder” and “spend more time with friends” off my New Year’s resolution list all at once. There’s complimentary Wi-Fi, a huge conference table, a latte bar and more.

One of my top tips first thing in the morning is to give myself some time to spend with my dog, do household chores (i.e. empty the dishwasher) and enjoy my coffee. I don’t jump right into work. I also make a reasonable to-do list, and sometimes it may just have one pressing item on it. My to-do list usually has 30-40 pressing items, but being realistic and tackling a few key things works best for me.

Change it up. Once a week, schedule a co-working date with a friend (who also has stuff to get done, not just an excuse to catch up on gossip and boys) or check out a new, local coffee shop. For me, changing the scenery really helps boost my creativity, so it’s something I try to do often.

Along with changing it up, have a go-to reliable spot when you’re on serious deadline or having writer’s block or lack of motivation. For me, that’s the Starbucks by the Galleria. Not sure why the vibe and familiarity there works for me, but it does. I’m not tempted to leave early or walk around the area, I just go and get my work done and leave.

One tip I often hear is to set “working hours” from your home office. While I don’t, I do try to stop working by 6p at the latest, because it takes me a few hours to clear my mind, so I don’t want to get in bed thinking of past-due articles or needy clients. That’s the worst.

Creating a daily work schedule is often helpful, but I’ll be honest – only sometimes. For instance, scheduling breaks to make personal calls or walking the dog if it’s nice out is great, but if I get stuck and need an extra break or if I’m really into whatever I’m doing, I’ll keep going. I like heading to the leasing office and chatting with them – they are always so fun and friendly and it’s a quick and easy walk from my apartment. Black Hole Coffee House is one of Montrose’s best coffee shops and it’s right next door, so that’s another easy, quick break for me during the work day.

For me, the key to working from home is staying flexible. One of the benefits of working for myself and working from home is that I have that flexibility. A friend gets off work early wants to hit up happy hour – I’m game! I’m in a creative rut and want to get in a workout – let’s do it! But that’s the double-edged sword working from home – the flexibility needs to be in moderation. If friends call me every day for a 3p happy hour, I can’t go all the time. Or can I?

Montrose Houston Apartments Offer Champagne Tours

This is part of a sponsored blog series with Encore Montrose. Did you know you can ask for the “champagne tour” while touring these brand-new Montrose Houston apartments? Champagne makes everything better, especially when it comes to moving and a yearlong commitment. Encore Montrose is currently offering major leasing specials, including look and lease gift cards and a few weeks free rent, so don’t miss out. Shoot me an email if you’re interested in touring or stop by Encore Montrose (4508 Graustark Street) and tell them Jayme (or The Blonde Side) sent you! Cheers to your new Montrose home!

My Houston Lip Filler Experience: ACQUA Med Spa

Lip fillers are having a moment and I’m here for it – front row, center. I began my love affair with lip fillers back in 2016, but relax. I’ve only had it done three times, so I haven’t gone overboard, nor am I an expert (thankfully I worked with people who are, so read on). Remember this lip filler piece I wrote for Elite Daily?

Below are my thoughts and experiences about my lip filler experience at ACQUA Med Spa (it’s run by Dr. Ciaravino, who has a stellar reputation in Houston) mixed in with some advice and assessments from Braidee Ireland (nurse, injector and good friend of mine). 

Lip fillers are a weird conundrum – men always think they’re awful (but only when they know you’ve had them done) and women are usually judging or keeping their own lip filler experience a top-secret covert operation. And I’ll be honest – it’s a fairly expensive procedure and it definitely hurts a bit, but if you come from the IBLC (Itty Bitty Lippie Committee) like me, I think it’s well worth the investment. Pain is beauty, right?

It’s important to note that lip fillers are an aesthetic treatment, but it’s not surgery or anything you have to be cautious of – other than going to someone good (like any of the injectors at Houston’s ACQUA Med Spa). You basically can’t workout for 24-hours and may experience bruising (I bruise easily so take Arnica to help), and chapped lips, but that’s it.

Here are my quick thoughts on lips – it’s not an area of the face/body you change on your own. It’s not like working out or wearing a different shade of lipstick will magically change the shape or volume of your lips and guess what? Lips are something I look at every single day and so does anyone who talks to me. So I know there are haters out there saying, “don’t change anything about yourself,” or “don’t be that girl,” but it’s my choice.  My lips don’t define my beauty or confidence, but if I feel an extra pep in my step because I have fuller lips and a larger canvas to play with fun lip colors, then that’s my prerogative (in the words of Bobby Brown!). 

Tips for Getting Lip Fillers

Here are a few tips on choosing the right lip filler, the injector and overall experience:

• Go to someone GOOD. Just because you see discounts on Instagram or you’re friends with them, does not mean they are good. To be honest, Braidee (one of my best friends) has been doing this for years and I waited until I felt comfortable going to her and saw tons and tons of examples of her work. Do your research – check out their social media feed, read their reviews, ask friends who they go to or have heard about.
• Take advantage of the FREE consultation, but don’t feel obligated. ACQUA gives everyone a free consultation and this is your chance to ask questions and make sure it’s a procedure you want. Just because you go to the office and spend 30 minutes with the team doesn’t mean you’re trapped into anything.
• Bring pictures so you can realistically and easily share what look you’re going for. Create a photo album on your phone and show the injector all those pictures. It will give them an idea of what you want and make your end result that much better.
• Be prepared. As I mentioned above, I bruise easily, so I make sure to have Arnica on hand. I also have a history of cold sores and unfortunately, the “trauma” of lip injections can bring about cold sores for me, so I start taking medicine the day before (and that seems to work). I also tend to swell (quite a bit) afterwards, so I make sure not to plan any important meetings or dates on the same day!
• Stay in contact with your injector. When I get my lips done, I make sure they know that I want to start off subtle and natural, and the team at ACQUA operates the exact same. They start off natural and after two weeks if you want more, they invite you back in (usually at no charge), but each case is different. 
  

  ACQUA Med Spa’s Braidee Ireland and The Blonde Side’s Jayme Lamm

ACQUA’s Lip Filler Process

 Below gets technical, but it’s directly from my injector, Braidee and gives insight into the process for those thinking of trying it.

 “Thorough assessments, product knowledge and facial anatomy are just a few of the many important things in providing safe and natural work to clients. Here at ACQUA we give assessment consultations with our PA, which include careful examination and questioning of clients’ desired results that allows our nurse injectors to inject the appropriate product for the client to achieve a great outcome. We use topical numbing cream, along with other distracting comfort measures. As an injector, it’s important to understand how these products work, best places to use them and give the patient expectations for healing based off the type and amount of filler used. 

 As explained by the patient in the consult, Restylane and Restylane Silk products have previously been injected and the client felt the products did not hold to desired look for any reasonable amount of time. Suggestion of Juvederm Ultra product was given in regards to having a fuller, firmer hold once injected into the area. Juvederm Ultra in the lips can give a more noticeable volume from baseline but also, if injected slowly and efficiently, can be seen as a natural fullness. Lining the lips to create a base shape that will give the lips a wider structure can be a great start before volumizing the lips. For me, using insulin syringes allows me to put the product exactly where I want, without overfilling. Patients seem to respond well to insulin syringes for the lip area because the size of the needle is smaller. The key to great injections is knowledge, comfort and communication. We give as much information as we can to our clients so they are fully aware of what is being done and what to expect. We encourage patients to come in with questions, concerns and desired expectations so we can provide appropriate education and services. 

 Jayme presented with a smaller base lip structure with the top lip having a natural tendency to fold under. This creates more difficulty with injections because you do not want to overload the lip with filler trying to create more volume and lift because it can easily get hidden in the tissue and fold under as well. Proper placement of small droplets along the lining of the lip and even, linear injections on the “wet-to-dry” area of the lip will create more volume and space. We also put filler in the lower fat pads of the lip and again small droplets along the lining to create a soft, more volumized bottom lip for all around symmetry.”  — Braidee Ireland, RN

Ready to try lip fillers? I highly recommend ACQUA Med Spa and if you mention me, you’ll get 10% off any service. Schedule your FREE consultation by calling 281.480.1200. They have three amazing injectors on-site (Braidee, Alexis and Arika) and they’re all equally awesome.