Category Archives: BEAUTY

Creating a Faux Summer

July 7, 2010

Filed Under : BEAUTY - EAT - RECIPES - STYLE

Dear Weather,

First of all, what the hell?  It’s almost mid-July, which means it’s almost August, and it’s STILL cold outside!  Drizzling every morning??  Mid 60s?  For real?  Where are we, the corner of Alaska?  Every other square inch of the USA is experiencing scorching, blistering heat waves…and I’m jealous.

California always has to be fashionably late to the party.  But guess what, CA Weather?  You’re too late to the party now.  It started like 2 months ago, let’s get with it.  The Eastern seaboard and 8/10ths of Canada are warmer and less gloomy than you.

As for now, I’m forced to create my own summer.  A faux summer, I call it.  I will fake it until the sun shines.  Here are my tools of creating a faux summer:

1. Bumble and Bumble Surf Spray, $23: I’m absolutely addicted to this spray.  Not only does it smell of the salty ocean, it gives your hair that perfect windswept, beachy look.  All you need is a few spritzes on your damp hair and then let it air dry.  See, Kate Hudson knows what I’m talking about.

2. Sephora by OPI Havana Nights, $9 each: With these bright and punchy nail colors, I can look and feel as summery as I please!  Colors left to right: Rumba Romance, Caliente Coral, Teal We Meet Again, Read My Palm, Caribbean Cocktail, Havana Dreams. [Image via Sephora]

3.  Williams-Sonoma Ice Pop Cookbook, $15.95: I’m a huge fan of fruity, icey popsicles but since it’s currently too chilly to make them, I will gaze through this recipe book instead.

4.  Vintage Wicker and Wood Picnic Basket, kowgirlkitch etsy, $30: I have been planning the perfect picnic in my head for weeks now.  Potato salad.  Finger sandwiches.  Latticed pie?  A few bottles of vino (whoops).  But of course, I must hold off on my picnic planning until the temperature rises.  For now, I will oOOoOo and awe over adorable vintage picnic baskets.

5.  Turkey Sliders: Tonight I made turkey sliders indoors.  It was too chilly and overcast to grill outside so I brought the burgers-by-the-pool meal indoors.  These turkey sliders are juicy, delicious, and super easy to make. Recipe: First chop an onion and saute in a pan.  Then mix lean ground turkey with salt, pepper, garlic powder, seasoned breadcrumbs, and a little ketchup.  Roll the turkey into balls and add them to the pan.  Flatten the turkey into the sauteed onions so that they stick to and become part of the patty.  Cook through and top with cheese.  Make sure you buy those mini hamburger buns!!  Add any and all condiments to your turkey sliders.  Voila! A perfect summery meal to get you through these winter-like doldrums.

DryBar

May 29, 2010

Filed Under : BEAUTY

The DryBar specializes in simple luxuries: blowouts.  You don’t realize you need your hair professionally blow dried until you actually step foot in their door and experience it firsthand.

Not only do they wash, blow dry, and curl your hair (depending on the style you order), but it only costs $35!!  Plus it’s a super fun and relaxing atmosphere…complete with complimentary champagne, of course.

I went on Thursday night with my cousin and we loved every minute of it.  She ordered the Mai Tai and I chose the Cosmopolitan.  And after 30 or so minutes of pampering, we had bouncing curls and immediately planned our next visit.

For more info on the DryBar, go to thedrybar.com.

[tres chic decor]

[the famous blow dryer light fixture]

[menu of styles]

[the bar]

[sipping champagne]

[my cousin getting her Mai Tai]

[blurred but finished product]

[hard to tell with dark hair but we loved!]

Tickled Green

May 4, 2010

Filed Under : BEAUTY

In the springtime, there’s nothing I love more than a bright and shimmery nail polish.  This Sephora by OPI Teal We Meet Again is that perfect blend of glimmering blue-green.  Mermaid green, I like to call it.

It would look simply stunning paired with THIS at a fun dinner party with friends or on a romantic date with your lovebug.

The only problem?  I can’t find it at any Sephora.  So if you happen to spot it while perusing that makeup wonderland, please let me know.  I must have.

10 Can’t-Live-Without’s

April 29, 2010

Filed Under : BEAUTY - EAT - STYLE

Everyone has certain things in their life that complete them.  Of course my family, boyfriend, and friends are at the very top of this “Can’t Live Without” list but I also have 10 other vitals that I’ve come to depend upon.

  1. Tea: I have tea, whether it be iced or hot, all day long.  Some of my favorite tea brands are Revolution, Tejava, Republic of Tea, Harney & Sons, and…well, I could go on forever but that’s a blog post within itself.
  2. Cupcakes:  Of course this one isn’t as vital, but cupcakes are one of my favorite things to indulge in.
  3. My iPod:  Yes, I said iPod.  You’re probably wondering if these old school contraptions actually still exist, what with all the iTouchs and Nanos and Shuffles, but they do!  My iPod has been so good to me over the years.
  4. Erin Condren Life Planner: Of course I went into detail about my day planner here and let me tell you, it keeps me so organized and together.
  5. Strawberry Chapstick: I’m talking about the actual Chapstick brand in strawberry flavor.  This chapstick is much more than a beauty essential to me.  I keep them well stocked too: 1 in every drawer of my nightstands, stashed in every purse, in the glove compartment of my car, in my desk at work, everywhere possible.
  6. Kiehl’s Crème de Corps: Kiehl’s is my absolute favorite brand for lotions, moisturizers, and body washes.  I’ve used Crème de Corps for years now and it’s the only body lotion that truly soaks into my skin and keeps it hydrated.  I use it everyday!
  7. Moleskine Notebook: For Christmas last year, Kyle gave me a Moleskine notebook so that I could write down all of my thoughts, ideas, inspirations, muses, and random notes.  Whenever I have something I need written down, my Moleskine is always there for me.
  8. Cadbury Mini Eggs: If you know me at all, then you’re fully aware of my unhealthy obsession with Cadbury mini eggs.  I have absolutely NO willpower when a bowl of cads are dangled in front of my face.  Just the fact that I know they’re available on Amazon (see link) during the off season should say enough.
  9. Monthly Mags: Whether it be an InStyle, Elle, or Cooking Light, I need a monthly fix of my mags.
  10. My blogs: Just as much as I need a monthly magazine fix, I also need a DAILY blog fix.  Blogs have become such an integral part of my life and reading them is the highlight of my days.  From personal style blogs to food blogs to my friends’ blogs to profesh blogs like Refinery 29, I need them every day (every hour is more like it).

[Image via weheartit]

10 Beauty Essentials

April 27, 2010

Filed Under : BEAUTY

Though I don’t like to wear a lot of makeup, I definitely have products that I use consistently.  I’ll randomly throw an eye shadow or two in the mix every so often, but these products are my basic foundation:

  1. Philosophy Skin Care: Ever since I started using Philosophy skin care products, like Hope in a Jar moisturizer and When Hope is Not Enough serum, I’ve seen monumental improvements in my complexion.  Though not pictured, I also use Philosophy’s Purity face wash daily.
  2. Bare Escentuals Bare Mineral Foundation: I’m a huge advocate for mineral foundations and Bare Escentuals is like the Rolls Royce of mineral makeup.  You just can’t go wrong with it.  I started using it in high school and still love it!
  3. Clinique Almost Lipstick in Black Honey: This Clinique lipstick is extremely sheer and balmy.  Though it looks quite dark in the tube, it’s actually very transparent and gives you that just-bitten look to your lips.  Ahh, my favorite!
  4. Cover Girl Lash Blast Mascara:  I am constantly testing out new mascaras.  I swear, every time I go to Sephora or Target, I find myself purchasing a new mascara.  But I always turn back to Lash Blast.  It’s one of the most lengthening and volumizing mascaras out there.  And for $7 a pop too!
  5. Benefit Erase Paste: I use this concealer under my eyes and it literally erases all signs of puffiness and dark circles.
  6. Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler:  This eyelash curler was created by the gods themselves, I swear.  Sometimes I just don’t have time to fully decorate my face.  In that case (aka everyday), I quickly do two squeezes of the Shu Uemura curler and my eyes are instantly brighter.
  7. Benefit Eye Bright:  This eye brightener is one of the best kept secrets on Planet Earth.  Just as the name suggests, it brightens your eyes in every way possible.  I usually smudge some under my bottom lash line and in the corners of my eyes.
  8. Neutrogena Sunblock, SPF 70: No need to explain this one. The last thing I want is a leathery, wrinkled face.  Gotta protect!
  9. NARS Blush in Orgasm: As I described here, this blush has an amazing peachy-pink hue and gives a much-needed flush of color to my freckled cheeks.
  10. Vaseline: I use Vaseline for just about everything.  On my lips, eyelids, cuticles, elbows, toesies.  It’s cheap and it works – what more can you ask for?

What are your beauty essentials, lovelies??

[Images via Sephora and Target]