OUR SPACE

[ivyandana]

WELCOME TO OUR SPACE <3

Hey girl! Ana and I (Ivy) launched this blog to connect with young women like us. We have been best friends for over 5 years—navigating life's ups and downs, from close distances to long distances. Our goal is to build a beautiful community where we can share our experiences, offer advice, and support each other through the journey of life.

This blog is not just about us; it's about you too. We want this to be a safe space where we can all learn and grow together. From career building and living abroad to dating and self-care, we'll share insights and stories that resonate with young women in their 20s.

We can't wait to take you on this journey with us! Expect weekly updates, and we'd love to hear your thoughts, experiences, and suggestions for future topics :)

[ivyandana]

Summer Journal Prompts <3

I love when seasons change because it gives us a new opportunity to reflect, look at out current routines, and make changes to our lifestyles. Here are some Summer journal prompts to help you get started❤️

Write a letter to yourself to open in September.

What is your favorite childhood summer memory?

What is something you want to achieve this summer?

What does your ideal summer morning look like?

What does your ideal summer evening look like?

Enjoy your journaling!

-IVY

[ivyandana]

Day 4/21 of Self Love Affirmations

Hello <3 I had a close family member who had severe health issues and had to help. I had to put this on hold for a bit, but we're so back!

I honor myself, my feelings and my intuition. I trust in my own ability and decisions. I deeply love and respect all parts of myself. I release the need for perfection and embrace my authentic self.

-IVY

[femmefatalevibe]

Have a lifelong love affair with yourself. Seduce yourself with high standards. Set goals. Stay true to your values. Remain intoxicated with your intentions and the woman staring back at you in the mirror.

[ivyandana]

Day 3/21 of Self Love Affirmations

I love the way my mind works. All of my thoughts and ideas are valuable.

No matter how big or small, what I contribute the to world and other peoples lives matters.

I am more than enough. I am doing enough. My contributions are enough.

-IVY

[ivyandana]

Day 2/21 of Self Love Affirmations

I love my body, mind, and soul. I accept myself for who I am. I show myself love by taking care of my health and doing things that make me feel amazing. I am worthy of the patience, time, money, and energy it takes to feel good and comfortable in my body.

-IVY

[ivyandana]

Day 1/21 of Self Love Affirmations

I am worthy of love and abundance in all areas of my life. I release all doubts and fears, knowing that I am more than enough. I nourish my mind, body, and soul with love and compassion. Love fills me and radiates outward. I am a magnet for positivity, confidence, and love.

-IVY

[ivyandana]

days in the city :)

[ivyandana]

Journal Entry - May 21, 2024

Hello Gorgeous <3

I just got done with my junior year in college and summer has begun! This means that I can devote a lot more time to this blog and myself. I feel like I've spent the past two-three years just struggling through life and my main goal this summer is to heal the parts of me that changed to get me through tough situations.

Part of me healing is shedding the person I became to fight through issues. I don't think it's bad that I had to become a fighter, but I want fighter me to be a PART of me, not who I am entirely. Now, I feel like I'm at a point in my life where being a person that fights through things is no longer beneficial to me. It makes me turn situations that could be moved through with love and intention, a battle instead.

I am a loving person. I often put others before me and I sometimes fail to give myself what I need to move through life as the best version of me that I can. This summer, I am going to change that. I am going to do everything from a place of love and rediscover who I am when I am not warring.

I don't have to fight anymore :)

-IVY

[mindfulstudyquest]

your competition isn't other people.

it's your procrastination, your ego, the unhealthy food you're consuming, the knowledge you neglect, the negative behavior you're nurturing and your lack of creativity.

compete against that.

[yesthechaos]

[younmedotcom]

No BE

[nenelonomh-deactivated20250906]

rule #65

be the energy you want to attract

[ivyandana]

day 1 of affirmations

I am so grateful for the chance to make a positive impact on someones day

this situation will pass, so I choose to deal with it camly

I can do this

-Anastacia

[mooniluvyou]

getting compliments from other girls is so therapeutic

[ivyandana]

LETS TALK LOVING AND CREATING BOUNDARIES WITH OURSELVES!

respecting and loving yourself is the greatest gift you can give yourself and that starts with simple boundaries! here's some examples that helped me create PEACE in my life by establishing a routine, felt more self love and created an environment for me to enjoy life!

MORNING ROUTINE- pretty self explanatory but this will just give you such a great start to the morning and studies shows doing the same thing every morning leads to more productivity, creativity and secureness all equalling to greater success

BUDGETING- one the hardest thing to do in today's society in my opinion. but learning restraint when it comes to spending money and establishing a humble mindset will give you so much peace in the long run as well who just doesn't love having money!

UNHEALTHY FOOD CONSUMPTION!!!!!!!- the biggest thing you can do for yourself is eating healthy (or trying your best) not trying to shame anybody but eating fast-food 3x a week is hurting yourself. the way we feel and look all has to do with what goes in our bodies!

CREATING A SCHEDULE AND STICKING TO IT: putting down the minimum and max Amount of time for work, to upcoming meetings, deadlines, bill dues, will overall create more structure in your life causing less stress!

-anastacia

[ivyandana]

Skincare Routine for Hyperpigmentation

Hi! This is Ivy <3 I used to struggle. with breakouts, oil, and hyperpigmentation for about 3 years. Among other things, I tried some of The Ordinary and Good Molecules products in America, then Tretinoin (helped for a couple weeks) and biweekly facials when I moved to Shanghai. Nothing worked and my skin didn't significantly improve. I stripped my routine down to the essentials and started over again. I've seen MASSIVE improvements, so I thought I'd share with you all.

I started using Garnier Micellar Water to wipe my make up off.

I saw a tiktok saying that salicylic acid was good for darker skin tones. I went to Sephora and I bought the Inkylist Salycic Acid Cleanser. I swear by this now.

The first time I visited the pharmacy in Italy, I told the pharmacist what I was using on my skin (Avene) and she immediately redirected me to using the Effaclar Duo (+) as a moisturizer. This really helped prevent breakouts and slowly lightened my spots. It's really strong and I don't need it anymore. Now I use the normal La Roche Posay Moisturizing Lotion.

I switched my SPF out for some REAL mineral sunscreen. I loveee Bubbly Solar Mate SPF. Sunscreen helps even the skin tone and protects from further sun damage.

Clean off as much of your make up as possible before cleansing, keep your skin properly hydrated, and WEAR SPF.

I don't know what the science is or what magic cleared my skin, but my skin tone is so much more even, I rarely get any break outs, and I'm a lottt less oily.

-IVY

[ivyandana]

May is...

Baby blue. White sangrias. Dreaming of somewhere tropical. Buying flowers. Listening to my body. Mindful breathing. Sunshowers. Bikini shopping. Staying hydrated. Dancing to release. Getting 8 hours of sleep. Showing appreciation. Picking up crochet again. Sun bathing. Seeing old friends and making new ones. Cafe hopping. Painting in the park. Making smart $ decisions. Summer playlists. SPF. Slowing down.

-IVY