cool as a cucumber

I was a child of the sun, spending most of my formative years with sandy toes and red shoulders. This is in no way an indication of improper parenting, my mom tried her best to slather sunscreen on my little body, but I resisted. I hated the way it would burn my eyes as I splashed in the waves, the way it made the sand stick to my tan skin, the way the application process cut into my play time... It's worth noting that I also had an aversion to bathing suits. I would literally strip down the second my feet hit the shore. Fortunately, my feelings on swimwear have matured, but the distaste for sunscreen remains. All too often it's heavy and greasy, but knowing what I know about sun damage, I have no choice. 

Fortunately, last month's Birchbox included this fabulous organic, American-made sunscreen from Coola. Days after receiving it, I saw that J. Crew was featuring the product as well. It's fantastically lightweight and smells like cucumber. Perfection, if I do say so myself. I've used every drop from my sample and am promptly purchasing the full-size. 

hair did, nails did, erythang did

My sweet momma and I went for mani/pedis yesterday. Never mind the fact that it's still 50 degrees outside, with Easter being this weekend, it seemed like a necessity. I knew I wanted something springy, not too milky-pastel but not overly bright. More like if a jelly bean and a marshmallow had a baby. Make sense? Good. I picked..

essie "Turquoise and Caicos" for my hands

and OPI "If You Moust You Moust" on my toes.

I was so happy with my choices, but I had to laugh when I realized how perfectly these hues match the CAbi spring collection... I must have really been channeling Thin Mint and Power Pink...

thin mint jegging

power pink blazer

What can I say? It's official, y'all. I'm a CAbi girl through and through (and wouldn't have it any other way...)

p.s. Kendi did a post on hot pink blazers! I love our design team... so on trend! Our version has pretty princess seaming and the sliiightest peplum, so it's insanely flattering and feminine. j'adore. 

p.p.s. remember my first attempt at seafoam green nails?

Artisan by John Varvatos

I opened my November Birchbox to find a men's cologne sample. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little perturbed. The theme for the month was "Give" and the idea was to give this little sample to a special man in your life. (I hope you're reading that in a bratty voice.) I figured I could pass it off to my dad or one of my brothers, but boys just don't get it, you know?

To a girl, a perfume sample is a little slice of heaven. It's excitement, adventure, the opportunity to try something new without the commitment of a whole bottle. To a boy though, it's just a shrunken vile of scented water. Guys just don't appreciate stuff like that and removing the miniature cap is often more trouble than it's worth (I tend to agree to some extent, those caps are a royal bee.) 

I decided to smell it before giving it away though, and I instantly fell in love with the refreshingly clean, citrusy scent. I dabbed on just a little (feeling 1 part rebellious and 1 part transgendered) but my mom and sister both confirmed that it smelled really wonderful. I will admit it is masculine, but in a sexy, irreverant kind of way. Nothing like my high school days when pubescent boys doused themselves in Axe to mask the stench of their post-PE sweat.

I've never been a fan of overly sweet perfumes, and I certainly believe less is more when it comes to the fragrance department. That's why I really love Artisan by John Varvatos.   

So dish. What do you think of women wearing men's fragrances? What do you wear? My everyday is Twirl by Kate Spade, but I'm really tempted to mix it up with Artisan. 

if you must...

The past few years I've felt kind of silly asking for anything for Christmas. I'm 23 and I have more than I could ever dream of. But still, year after year, December rolls around and my grandmother turns into Mrs. Claus, my siblings complain that they don't know what to get the girl who has everything, and I'm pretty sure my mom is just looking for an excuse to shop (I'm on to you, woman) So here it is... a list, of sorts. I think shopping for me is pretty simple... If it's gold, a little luxurious, or in any way related to coffee or wine, you're set.

1. Starbucks mugs (Taylor gave me a pretty white mug with a dainty gold handle a few Christmases ago, and I'm thinking it't the perfect start to a lovely collection, no?)
2. a plush stole with the perfect pop of red
3. kate spade iPad sleeve, for the girl who "works from home" (and you can put a new iPad in there, while you're at it.)
 4. fair isle leggings, to mix it up from last year's pajama sets. I like the idea of pairing these with an equally eye-catching, cozy sweater for opening presents and drinking mimosas on Christmas morning.
5. Sugar's berry merriment set, for obvious reasons. 
6. this print would be perfect in a kitchen
7. fancy French tea, overpriced and moderately indulgent
8. this jeweled barrette, because it's glitzy enough to make black leggings and a broken-in, men's v-neck tee feel fabulous.
9. the best wine glasses. Confession: I'd rather drink mediocre wine out of a nice glass than a fabulous vintage out of a dixie cup. Maybe it's a little pretentious, but I think the glass truly makes the experience. These by Schott Zweisel are my abs fave, bar none.  They are break/chip/scratch-resistant, and shockingly lightweight considering how remarkably durable they are. 
10. kinfolk vol. 6, to read by the fire of course

you're toxic, i'm slippin under...

I never really bought into the whole "detox" thing. Truth is, most of the people I know who would regularly detox were just practicing a glorified version of an eating disorder. Eliminating entire food groups from their diets, living off of juice... that can't be healthy. But after our trip to Kentucky, I felt sick and sluggish. The combination of no exercise and too much junk food had left me feeling lethargic and weighed down. 

After one day of overly-ambitious self deprivation (no carbs, no sugar, no dairy) I reevaluated my goals and made some adjustments. Also, the caffeine withdrawals were enough to make me want to bash my head into a wall. I wouldn't call it a detox, but I really focused on being more mindful of my food choices.

Eating intentionally isn't easy. It takes time and effort. But it leaves you feeling satisfied. A handful of crackers might be a "quick fix" when I'm feeling ravenously hungry, but a banana with peanut butter will give me more enduring energy. 

And if you just have to detox, there are three forms I can get behind.

1. Yogi DeTox Tea. I'm not gonna lie, it's not my favorite flavor. I'd much rather sip on Tazo's Joy tea (or a glass of wine, if we're being really honest.) But knowing that it promotes liver and kidney function makes it a little more palatable. 

2. Detox Bath. I'm not exactly sure how soaking in Epsom salt, baking soda, and ground ginger will help remove toxins from your body, but evidently it does. It soothed my aching muscles after a particularly hard workout, and a bath always helps me clear my mind of mental clutter. 

3. Face masks. I'm still a 7 year old at a sleepover when it comes to face masks. Wei's Golden Root Purifying Mud Mask came in my last Birchbox and I loved it, but I find that most drugstore options work just as well. 

I do believe the practice of each of these is really more effective in detoxifying than the product itself. Sitting down and enjoying a cup of tea, blocking out 15 minutes to slather mud all over your face and not interact with the outside world, and turning the lights down, the music up and soaking can do wonders for your psyche. 

Birchbox!

Have you tried Birchbox yet? After hearing rave reviews for months, reading the feature in Matchbook mag, and then a friend at work telling me "It's like Christmas every month!" I finally signed up. My first box came today and my friend was totally right.

We've talked before about packaging in the cosmetics industry,  but Birchbox takes it to another level. From the pretty pink paper to the friendly "Hi there" they use as a greeting... the entire experience felt like one of my best gal pals sent me a few of her favorite beauty products to try.

This month's theme is Jet Set, which didn't help my severe case of wanderlust, but it was loads of fun. The contents:

So far I have tried Stila's One Step Bronze and the lip/cheek stain by the Balm. I fell in love with the stain instantly. The bronzer is actually an illuminating serum. It's not something I would have picked up off the shelf, and it's probably more sparkly than I would usually go for, but I like it. That's the awesome thing about Birchbox... it gets you to try some things you probably wouldn't. As for the tan towels... I'm skeptical. I've rarely seen tan towels work out for people (streak city, chick.) And the peanut butter cookie Luna bar? Right up my alley (I mean if going to Subway for a peanut butter cookie, or three, isn't an option. Which it's not.)

And can we just talk about Wonderstruck? Taylor, Taylor... I just might be passing this one off to my little sister. :)

So tell me, have you tried Birchbox? 

p.s. Let me know if you want me to send you an invite!

feels like me

If I've said it once, I've said it a thousand times: I'm not much of a makeup girl. It's not that I don't enjoy cosmetics, I just don't find the overdone, caked-on foundation, heavy black eyeliner look attractive. Don't get me wrong- there are people who can pull off a dramatic eye or a bold lip like nobody's business. I'm just not that girl. My minimalist routine becomes even more minimal as soon as the temperatures start warming up, so I like to think my natural approach is the direct result of being a beach baby. When you grow up by the shore, light makeup just makes sense. You don't try to fight your hair when the humidity rolls in for the summer and you certainly don't want black mascara streaming down you face the minute you decide to splash in the waves. 


When it comes to summer makeup, (summer meaning 10 months out of the year) I want to look like me... just better. These are three products that make me "feel like me." When I'm wearing them I don't feel done up, in fact, I don't feel like I'm wearing anything at all. Of course, for events and such I'll glam it up with shadows or a brown liner, but for everyday, real life... this is it. Beach baby, tomboy chic... call it what you want. 


1. Bare Escentuals: A Little Sun
Back before I knew what sun damage, skin cancer, and wrinkles were, I loved the look of fresh sun on my face. You know the kind: not burnt, but it hasn't quite turned to tan yet, so the cheekbones have a reddish-golden glow? I'm a total sunscreen nazi now, but this does the trick. When I'm applying it, I close my eyes and pretend I'm sitting on the beach. I run the brush along the parts of my face that feel the warmth of the sun first: cheeks, forehead, and down the bridge of my nose. Not only is it a great product, but closing my eyes and picturing the sea is probably the most "zen" part of my routine. 

2. Maybelline: Full 'N Soft Mascara
For long, fluttery lashes, this can't be beat. It doesn't look like you're wearing mascara. It doesn't look like giant spiders are feasting on your eyelids. It looks like your natural eyelashes, just longer, fuller, softer... better. 

3. Fresh: Sugar Passion Tinted Lip Treatment SPF 15
This is my latest, greatest obsession. Our weekend in Atlanta was a basketball trip. Seriously, even when we were in our room, ESPN was on in the background.

[if you can disregard my "get that camera out of my face" face, you can see Dickie V. in the background.]

However, we did manage to squeeze in a little shopping at Lenox mall. I kept seeing chatter about the Sugar lip treatments on the interwebs, but at $22.50 a pop, I was skeptical. So I did what any sensible girl would do: I talked my mom into trying it and telling me how she liked it. Her rave reviews were all it took, so the next day we went back to the mall and I purchased it in Passion. Mom bought Plum the day before and decided to scoop up Passion too when I purchased mine. Bottom line: I love it. Seriously, the best lip product I've ever used. The nourishing, age-delay formula lasts for hours, it has the perfect amount of sheer color, and windblown hair doesn't stick to your pout like gluey gloss makes it. I was torn between Rosé and Passion and I am quite happy with my selection: it's like a lighter version of popsicle stained lips. And it hydrates so well I just might be officially retiring my Burt's Bees. 

late nights

I'm sure this comes as no surprise, but I never was much of a party girl in college. Don't get me wrong, I had loads of fun with the best friends a girl could ask for, but I never would consider myself a rager. And I hate putting things off til the last minute, so all-nighters in the library were not an option. 


And yet, there were still nights that turned into mornings, glasses that turned into bottles, and projects that turned into the spawn of Satan took longer than expected. Whether you're forced to stay up late to finish a project, you have to wake up before the sun to catch a flight, or if you're just pulling a total Lindsay Lohan*, these are my 2 tricks for looking refreshed, even when you're running on empty.

1. Water. Whenever I know I'm not going to get my optimal 8 hours of beauty sleep, I drink a minimum of 16.9 oz** of water before hitting the hay. It flushes of the toxins and keeps skin looking healthy, from the inside out. 

2. Moisturizer. I always wash my face before bed, and on particularly late nights I slather on as much lotion as my skin can absorb, and then a little more. It counteracts the gray, dull look skin gets when sleep deprived. I prefer this option from Walmart, because it's not greasy and it's super affordable, so I don't feel indulgent/wasteful when I use a dollop the size of a silver dollar. 


*Totally kiddinggg. You know I would never advocate reckless over-consumption, rightt?


**16.9 because that's how many ounces are in an Aquafina, which I always kept on hand for emergencies, during my my crazy college days [sike.]

ritual

I feel so silly talking about "cold weather," considering tomorrow's forecast here in coastal Carolina is sunny with a high of 60, but I guess that's just the way it goes. Last week we got our first real dose of cold (one day the high was 27!) and I promptly enlisted the help of one of my favorite products... OPI Avoplex. We all know the winter air can be particularly damaging to skin (I'm lookin at you, dry hands and cracked cuticles), but this stuff works wonders.   

I use it year round, but in the winter I do so with religious devotion. First, I dab the Nail and Cuticle Oil on each finger and rub it into my nail beds ["my nail beds suck.*"] Then I massage the High-Intensity Nail and Hand Cream into each hand. It has become a relaxing ritual, and it feels like an indulgent treat at the end of a long day. After all, who couldn't use a little extra pampering this time of year?


*Mean Girls. duh

grey matter

Taylor calls me a girl of extremes. I'm either starving or stuffed, exhausted or wide-awake, there's seldom any in-between. The rule applies to nail polish too. During the warmer months I tend to favor bold, sunny shades of orange and coral. But when my nails aren't brightly-hued, I'm a sucker for a chic, monochromatic grey. Here are a few of my favorites...

[From Top: 1. OPI "You Don't Know Jacques" 2. Essie "Playa Del Platinum" 3. Butter "Fash Pack" 4. OPI "French Quarter for Your Thoughts" 5. Zoya "Kelly"]

easy, breezy, beautiful

Ok, so I know you're probably thinking "What is it with the makeup kick lately?!" (As seen here and here...) And to be perfectly honest, I'm asking the same thing... 

Long story short... I purchased this NatureLuxe Gloss Balm when I was in Target last week mainly because it involved the words "nature" and "balm" (let's be real, I've never been much of a lipstick girl, opting for SPF over color any day) Packed with nourishing moisture, the perfect amount of sheen, a hint of color, and... wait for it... SPF 15. I am one happy beach bunny. I bought it in Sandstone and have every intention of purchasing it in Anemone (if not for the gorgeous tomato red hue, then for name's sake alone) and Coral (of course.)


In other news, have you been to the CoverGirl website? It is seriously impressive. Considering the fact that I'm a total makeup novice, they make it so easy! There are little quizzes you can take to determine what colors will compliment your skin tone. Then each item is color coded so you know what shade to buy! It's like having a personal makeup artist. (Now I'm not gonna say that I've upped my makeup game, but Sandstone, Anemone, and Coral all ended up matching my results, and I picked those three shades before taking the quiz... Maybe I'm born with it oops, wrong cosmetics company)

Braziliant

Do you remember playing that game at slumber parties where you flip through yearbooks and pick one potential future husband from each page? No matter how terrible the selection was, you had to pick one boy from each page. Oh to be 11 again...

This morning while we were attentively listening to our classmates' final presentations in Digital Multimedia, Jordan and I reinvented this little game. After drooling over the Essie Brazil collection (out in June) we flipped trough each page of polish (i.e. the entire Essie website...) and picked out one shade from each page. The competition was significantly more competitive that the selection of boys from my childhood days, but then again I went to a tiny private school...

If I could pick just one shade from the Brazil collection I would go for braziliant, but I have a feeling I will be purchasing absolutely shore as well...

And maybe a few others...

[smooth sailing, too too hot, and meet me at sunset]

So tell me, if you had to choose just one from this collection, which shade would you go for?!

Urban Decay

Ever since I did this post I have had the makeup bug. I tend to blame it on the lovely packaging. Have you ever noticed that? The cosmetics industry does packaging right. Anyways, my mom was in town last week and we went a little crazy in Ulta (sorry dad!) I tried out some new products from Urban Decay and I have been loving them! I'm still a loyal Bare Minerals girl, of course, but these are the newest additions to my cosmetics arsenal.

24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Bourbon

24/7 Glide-On Shadow Pencil in Midnight Cowboy

After Glow Glide-On Cheek Tint in Score

The boys' fraternity had their formal Saturday night, so it was the perfect opportunity to try everything out! I was really happy with the results- the perfect balance between shimmery and natural. (Side note: I haven't stopped wearing the blush since I opened it. Seriously, I came this close to putting it on before bed the past 2 nights, but I somehow managed to refrain.) Tada:

With my handsome baby bruddy! 

[Photo via iPhone so it isn't the best]

And a group shot! 

[Outfit details: clutch by Kenneth Cole, dress and belt by J. Crew, adorable wedges by Coconuts not pictured, unfortunately]

In the green

I painted my nails yesterday (duh) and my sweet roommate was kind enough to let me borrow a polish I had been contemplating buying for a while now...

[Refreshmint by China Glaze] 

I have been dying for the perfect shade of sea foam green, and I had high hopes for this hue. 


It shows up a little more blue than green, and it kind of makes me feel like a total hipster. Maybe the problem is my skin tone, or maybe I'm just a pink/coral/red/peach girl through and through. 


Right after I finished polishing, I read this article from Refinery29 which claims "Green is the new neutral." That may be true, but I think I'll be sticking with every shade of peach this season.


So tell me, what are your thoughts on wacky nail polish colors? I tend to gravitate toward them (in the bottles) but can never quite pull them off. 

Sephora

I don't usually wear much makeup. In fact, my daily look typically involves any combination the following:

Neutrogena Visibly Even daily moisturizer SPF 30 (I spent 2 weeks in Africa without luggage, and I was so thankful to have packed this in my carry-on)
Estee Lauder bronzer (a compact I have had for far too long, but it is the perfect shade and I simply refuse to toss it)
Bare Escentuals blush in Avant-Garden
Bare Escentuals Flawless Definition volumizing mascara 
(and always an eyelash curler)


But that doesn't mean I don't love cosmetics as much as the next girl. In reality, not wearing a lot of makeup daily makes getting glammed up all the more special. 


My lovely aunt gave me a Sephora gift card for Christmas and I have been dying to spend it... the only problem is that I cannot decide what to spend it on! Well, that and the fact that after I spend it I won't have an excuse to spend hours perusing the Sephora website. But here's what I'm wanting so far:

Tarte Femme Naturale Eye Palette
Benefit Cosmetics High Beam To Go
Buxom Waterproof Smoky Eye Stick
Urban Decay Afterglow Glide-On Cheek Tint
Twirl by Kate Spade Roll-On
Bumble and Bumble Surf Spray

What wold you spend it on? 

I would love some recommendations!

twirl

I got an early Valentine this past weekend...

Twirl by Kate Spade. Doesn't it just look like the perfect little Valentine? (Confession: I haven't been able to part with the box yet! Ahh somebody sign me up for Hoarding: Buried Alive!) But seriously, I am loving it. I am not usually the type of girl who wears perfume every day, but I have been wearing this stuff nonstop since I opened it! Here's part of the description from Sephora.com:

Created to evoke a flirty feeling of "joie de vivre," Twirl by Kate Spade encapsulates the floral fragrance of a garden in bloom, finished with a twist of fresh fruit. 

Infused with a dash of happiness and embodying that final twirl a girl does before she heads out for the day, this fragrance's fruity top notes sparkle with pink watermelon, blackberry, and red currant. Heart notes of fresh flowers take the next dance, including orange blossom, jasmine, and magnolia. The fragrance dries down to a base of luminous musks and a touch of a French macaroon—straight from the patisserie, of course.

And of course I wouldn't be me if I didn't mention OPI at least twice a month. Lately I have been wearing this hue...

it is perfect for Valentine's Day and it earned the approval of one of the little boys I babysat yesterday morning. He put down the airplane he was playing with to grab my hand and say, "You have pretty nails."  Adorable. Question: at what age do boys learn that this behavior is unacceptable? And who is teaching them this nonsense?

Smith's Rosebud Salve

Have you tried it?

I really enjoy it. It leaves my lips feeling soft, smooth and perfectly moisturized, regardless of how many hours I have spent at the beach. I just started using on on my cuticles too, and it works like a charm. 

Side note: Unfortunately, this does not have spf, so be sure to save this for after a day in the sun. :)

all that glitters

The weather has been unseasonably cold the past few days, so instead of hitting the beach yesterday I did some shopping with my mom. I'm not much of a make-up girl... ok, let's be real I rarely wear anything more than mascara and maybe a little blush/bronzer, BUT Clinique has the loveliest eyeshadow palette for summer 2010. So lovely, in fact, that my mom and I each had to get one! 

"Brandied Bronze" by Clinique ($25)

I'm a sucker for gold/bronze shadow, but I can't wait to use this teal color as a liner!

Perfectly Polished

Sunday night I pulled my first all-nighter of college. 14 hours in the library, multiple cups of coffee, and 20 pages later, I finished the night, er morning, with breakfast, a shower, and a nap. After I woke from my slumber at approximately 1:30pm (yikesorama), I rewarded myself with a trip to Ulta and later had chocolate chip cookies and vanilla ice cream for dinner. You're only in college once, right?


Well, now let's talk about nail polish. 

These are the latest additions to the family... I mean collection.

1. Cozu-melted in the Sun, from the Mexico collection (just in time for Cinco de Mayo!) In person it looks a little more pink than the picture... and mega-sparkly.)
2. Conga-line Coral- so bright and fun... perfect for summer!
3. Melon of Troy- I tried this color out when I got a mani/pedi last weekend, and it is lovely!


To the untrained eye they may all seem strikingly similar in color, but I assure you they are vastly different. And I love them. Happy girl... and did I mention that it's summer? Holler.