SLIDER

an apology.

an apology.

12.30.2011



Home. It’s a wonderful place with homemade meals, cozy childhood beds, and catching up with old friends.

It can also be a place of endless stress and, maybe even, disappointment.

My sister and I had an unusually rocky visit over the holidays and for that I would like to say that I’m incredibly sorry. I hope she knows that I do care about her and miss her.

Hope you read this, Margaux! You’re awesome and I do miss you…

…and I’m sorry!

you know you love me...xoxo #gg

it's a wonderful life

12.21.2011

monday musings.

monday musings.

12.20.2011

1. I think this is like the seventy-sixth time I’ve changed my Tumblr theme. I think I FINALLY found a winner though. What do you think of it?

2. Monday night was probably the first time I’ve ever been a little bit nervous living alone. There were strange noises coming from my vent. Too bad C was working late and couldn’t come save me.

3. C and I are exchanging Christmas gifts tonight! I know it’s going to be a really sweet moment.

4. I have no idea what I’m going to pack to go home on thursday…where do I even begin?

5. I had definitely decided that I was much better at studying for tests in college. This March test is really just looming over me, I feel guilty every time I don’t spend the weekend studying.

6. Whitney and I are trying to plan a day trip for January, somewhere that Southwest flies. Suggestions?
my make-up staples.

my make-up staples.

12.17.2011

As promised, here are the essentials in my make-up bag. This is the stuff I put on every morning for work. Just like with my face care routine, it’s taken me a VERY long time to commit to a make-up routine as well. I’m always trying new products and refuse to stick to anything. But I think I’ve finally narrowed it down to my all-time favorites.

Ignore the orange lens part...

The Highlights:
  • Bobbi Brown’s tinted moisturizer (dare I say it) rivals the infamous Laura Mercier one. I know some of you reading this might disagree but the BB one works great for me and I’m just not willing to mess with near perfection. It’s the right amount of coverage and moisture without being greasy by the end of the day. On the weekends, I just wear this tinted moisturizer and nothing else. (I wear Extra Light.) - $40
  • Bobbi Brown’s Tinted Eye Brightener is basically me “I can look fantastic and well rested even though I slept for only two hours and woke up at 4am with a sore throat and a cough and it was raining outside…” - It does exactly that. A little goes a long way (I probably over use it) and I’m only on my second tube in 5 months. (I wear Light Bisque) - $38
  • Clinique’s Touch Base for Eyes is a great base for your favorite eye shadow or great on it’s own. It comes in a variety of skin colored hues with a subtle sheen. I wear it alone and I feel like it really brightens up my eyes and makes them look bigger. (I wear Buff Lighting.) - $14.50
  • NARS Bronzer is a classic and perfect for me all year round. I can build up the color in the summer for a tanned glow or sweep it over my temples in the winter so I don’t look like a ghost. The subtle sparkle is just right and it LITERALLY lasts forever. I just bought another palette after having my first one for…18 months? (I wear Laguna) - $33
  • NARS Blush is another staple…honestly, who doesn’t own a compact of NARS blush in Orgasm. It’s been all the rage for year and yes, I jumped on the bandwagon. I havemany tons of different blushes but this is my #1. It’s a little bit sparkly, a little bit pink/orange, and a lot-a-bit awesome (yikes, cheesy) - $27
  • Bobbi Brown’s Cream Blush is a close second to my NARS blush. I have it in Pale Pink which is a bright, just pinched pink that makes it look like I’ve literally just…well, blushed. I prefer this in the summer because the cream blush stays in place and makes me look less cake-y when I…glisten. I like that I can also wear it on my lips. Who doesn’t love multitasking! - $24
  • Bobbi Brown’s Gel Eyeliner is. a. miracle. Because I wear contacts, I have a tendency to touch my eyes a lot and other eye liners would just smudge or wipe off very easily. This liner stays in place perfectly and gives me a clean, crisp line. I love the fun colors it comes in (I’m currently wearing Cobalt) and I like the flexibility of using a liner brush instead of a pencil…which honestly just hurts my eyelids. Also, I feel like I have to buy a new eyeliner pencil every month, whereas this pot of eyeliner will probably last me a year. - $21

Yes, don’t panic, I wear mascara…but I’m currently in limbo with mascaras. I’ve tried a whole bunch from the classic Maybelline to the ever popular Dior mascara…but I’m not sold on anything yet. Readers, do you have any favorites I should try?
current skincare favorites.

current skincare favorites.

12.16.2011

I thought I would share my new regime with the my followers (cough, my readers which include my mother, C and becca…oh and lizzie!…)

I always knew about Kiehl’s products but I never felt justified spending $16-$30 on face care. I was a drugstore sampler. Even when I found a product I liked well enough, when I ran out, I would always pick out a new facewash/lotion/toner at Target. I don’t know why I got into this habit but my face hated me. I went through a phase in high school where I used Clinique cleansing products because my mom would buy it for me for Christmas. When I ran out though, I wasn’t willing to repurchase those products. Moral of the story is…I’ve tried a whole range of products from drugstores and department stores but I finally found my answer. 

There is really no rhyme or reason why I decided to visit the Kiehl’s store in HP Village. I just decided one day that I would give it a try. I heard that they give out lots of free samples and I figured that would be a good way to get started.

I fell in love with the Ultra Facial Oil-Free line. It gives me that squeaky clean feeling I so crave when I wash my face and the moisturizer keeps me shine free all day. I only use a little on my dry areas because I use a tinted moisturizer during the day. And that little dark blue bottle is miracle serum. I don’t really believe in all those $100 serum ads but this. stuff. works. I use it at night after I clean my face and in the morning, my skin is soft, smooth and more even. I was nervous about putting “oil” on my already oily skin but I tried it and I was hooked.


Top 5 Reasons Why I’m Hooked:
  • Leaves me squeaky clean, moisturized and shine free
  • large, reasonably priced bottles will last forever - I’ll post an update and let you know how long my first round lasts (you can get all the items pictured for around $100!)
  • I got loaded up on “deluxe samples” of all the products which are PERFECT for travel.
  • I don’t feel like I’m putting tons of chemicals and artificial products on my face.
  • I actually can see an improvement in my skin! Clearer, smoother, less oily, and more even!

Lastly, I’ll leave you with this important reminder - WASH YOUR FACE EVERY MORNING AND NIGHT. No amount of products will improve your skin if you don’t use them properly. No matter how tired you are when you get home from the bars at 2am, at the very LEAST use a make-up removing towelette or cleansing wipe. While you make not break out the very next day, you’ll pay for it on Wednesday morning when your skin hates you for skipping that Saturday washing.

Check back tomorrow for my make-up routine!

12.13.2011

monday musings.

monday musings.

12.12.2011

I’m starting a new weekly post inspired by some of my favorite fellow bloggers…like Jessica at How Sweet, Molly at Happy Baby, Sydney at The Daybook and Bethany at The Jordan Journeys.

So let’s just start this Monday off right with a few things that are on my mind…

1. I totally wish there was a Trader Joes some where around here…not only for their signature “two-buck-chuck”…but for this.

2. I’m obsessed with my face washing regimen that I’ve started thanks to the most helpful associate at Kiehl’s in HP Village. Go there. Get samples. Fall in love. Then ask for a sample of this stuff. It’s magic.

3. I love my weekly GChat therapy sessions with Becca. They make the day go by so much faster. Sometimes we GChat in hashtags #likeitstwitter…

4. After seeing the Nutcracker Ballet two weeks ago, I reminded of how badly I would like to be a ballerina. I’m pretty sure I’ve passed my prime though.

5. On December 10th, I finished my Christmas shopping. Go me! It’s all wrapped and ready to be shipped home.

6. I’m just going to go ahead and pat myself on the back for reorganizing my closet and FINALLY (I mean it’s only December…) switching out my summer/winter clothes.

7. I had horrible nightmares last night that my perfect “pinterest” wedding went amiss when all the guests turned into zombies and my future husband didn’t recognize me. That’s probably because C and I watched Unknown last night. And sometimes we watch Walking Dead. Weird show.

8. I’m hosting a Secret Santa party at my apartment tonight. It’s only 500 sq ft. It’ll be interesting to see how well 11 people fit inside. But I’m making this so I’m sure everyone will be fine.

9. SPCA had the puppies at NorthPark on Saturday. Why do they do that? Why do they always bring the cutest ones? Why are the puppies always so well-behaved? Can I have a puppy for Christmas…PLEEEEEEEEEASE?

12.05.2011

love me a good tacky sweater christmas party...

12.02.2011

I sincerely wish I knew who wrote this or where it came from but I just found it floating around the internet. Why is it that so many of these things apply to me?
#truth
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