My gal pal BHB knows not to "tag" me in posts because I don't really do them... But her questions were so good today that I couldn't help "borrowing" them and answering myself!
If you had been born a boy, do you know what your parents planned on naming you? My parents did not know my sex prior to birth because they wanted to be surprised. (Two notes: Should I ever get married and pregnant I plan on doing the same and also I think it's no coincidence that one of my favorite things in life is to be surprised.) They decided if I was a girl my mom would get to name me and if I was a boy my dad would choose. He had picked out the name "Joshua Andrew" which I would love to use someday if life permits.
What is your favorite book of all time? It hasn't been written yet.
If you could have lunch with one celebrity, who would it be and why? My instincts are screaming Larry David, but I'd probably go with Sophia Bush, not only because I hugely admire both her work and charitable efforts, but I feel like we're a lot alike and would be instant friends. Also because we're both...
Did you go Greek in college? If so, which house? ...KAPPAS! Kappa Kappa Gamma, wanna say I amma...
Sweet or salty? Both both both.
Do you prefer to make a phone call or send a text? Most of the time I'd rather text. I think I'm better on paper than I am out loud!
What is your favorite flower? Honestly, I'm not big on flowers but I love a tight, neat arrangement of white roses in a simple square glass vase.
Did you have an American Girl doll as a child? I sure did! I had Molly because she seemed so nice and looked the most like me. I liked reading the books about her, too.
What is your favorite white wine and favorite red wine varietal? I love Sauvignon Blanc. I honestly don't drink red because I haven't found a variety I'm partial to. I like learning about wine and would really love to be able to order a glass of red that I could drink and actually enjoy. Put it on the to do list!
What is your favorite quote? "Go the extra mile; it's never crowded."
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Shopping hiatus
Yea, you read that right.
WAH.
After taking stock of my wardrobe and checking my MasterCard statement, I've decided that I need to put a hold on clothing purchases for awhile. This is not easy for me to say or do and I used to never make these sorts of promises or statements because they're usually empty... I always have my eye on something and am a great bargain hunter.
We all know that I live in a very small apartment and space is limited. Additionally, I'm still getting rid of clothes that no longer fit and aren't worth taking in. I need to set aside an afternoon to organize both my armoire and my closet which I anticipate will be challenging (see previous blog post) but I know I'll feel a million times better afterward.
Quality over quantity. Less is more. It's all about investment pieces. Wah wah we wah.
Of course in the mean time, I have pink pants on the brain. Again. Wouldn't these look great with a crisp white shirt and metallic Jack Rogers?
Pray for me.
WAH.
After taking stock of my wardrobe and checking my MasterCard statement, I've decided that I need to put a hold on clothing purchases for awhile. This is not easy for me to say or do and I used to never make these sorts of promises or statements because they're usually empty... I always have my eye on something and am a great bargain hunter.
We all know that I live in a very small apartment and space is limited. Additionally, I'm still getting rid of clothes that no longer fit and aren't worth taking in. I need to set aside an afternoon to organize both my armoire and my closet which I anticipate will be challenging (see previous blog post) but I know I'll feel a million times better afterward.
Quality over quantity. Less is more. It's all about investment pieces. Wah wah we wah.
Of course in the mean time, I have pink pants on the brain. Again. Wouldn't these look great with a crisp white shirt and metallic Jack Rogers?
Pray for me.
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Still haven't found what I'm looking for
I always make a point of saying out loud how good my life is. Because it is. I'm blessed beyond measure and I don't want to take any of it for granted. Sometimes I feel the need to remind everyone else and sometimes I need to remind myself.
But I'd be lying if I didn't say the past few months were a bit tough. Lots of heartbreak and lots of questions. I still consider myself incredibly fortunate and exceptionally happy, but sometimes I feel as though I am constantly searching for something and I'm not sure what. I think it's balance.
I've admittedly never been great about prioritizing my time well and lately this is more and more evident. I overcommit myself and I still don't feel like I'm accomplishing enough. I over schedule and I still don't feel like I'm doing enough. I had such a great weekend but I wanted so badly to relax and I did the exact opposite.
I've never been one of those people who can just get into bed and fall asleep. I always say I'm the Energizer Bunny... I keep going and going and I don't require a whole lot of downtime. But lately it's all I crave because I can't understand how I'll ever truly be successful if I can't figure out how to juggle it all. What's the answer? Cut something out? More multitasking? How will I ever really complete my book or finish the laundry or fall head over heels if I can't figure out how to get the rest done?
But I'd be lying if I didn't say the past few months were a bit tough. Lots of heartbreak and lots of questions. I still consider myself incredibly fortunate and exceptionally happy, but sometimes I feel as though I am constantly searching for something and I'm not sure what. I think it's balance.
I've admittedly never been great about prioritizing my time well and lately this is more and more evident. I overcommit myself and I still don't feel like I'm accomplishing enough. I over schedule and I still don't feel like I'm doing enough. I had such a great weekend but I wanted so badly to relax and I did the exact opposite.
I've never been one of those people who can just get into bed and fall asleep. I always say I'm the Energizer Bunny... I keep going and going and I don't require a whole lot of downtime. But lately it's all I crave because I can't understand how I'll ever truly be successful if I can't figure out how to juggle it all. What's the answer? Cut something out? More multitasking? How will I ever really complete my book or finish the laundry or fall head over heels if I can't figure out how to get the rest done?
Friday, March 9, 2012
My new makeup routine
If you've been around for awhile, you're probably thinking "How many times are you going to tell us that you finally got your makeup routine down pat?"
Good question. But I think I really got it this time. It's simple and streamlined and makes me feel good.
I always love reading about what products you're all using, so I thought I'd share mine. The goods (in the order that I put them on...)
FIrst Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream This is the first step of my beauty regimen. I slather this on my face and neck. This is an amazing value - a big vat of thick moisturizer for only $28!
Clinique Touch Base for Eyes I don't do eyeshadow during the week. Just a swipe of this in Canvas Light across my lid. Very easy.
Trish McEvoy Deluxe Eye Shadow I use this in Shell as a matte highlighter on my brow bone.
Yves Saint Laurent Liquid Eyeliner I've been using this for years. Extra thin line. Top lid only.
Cover FX Natural FX Water Based Foundation SPF 15 Nice and light. I apply it with Sephora Pro Foundation Airbrush #55.
Amazing Cosmetics AmazingConcealer A little goes a long way. I use Sephora Collection Classic Concealer Brush #46 to apply and then blend it with the Airbrush.
Cover FX Setting FX Translucent Setting Powder This gives me the matte look and I want and need. I use my Bobbi Brown Bronzer Brush to apply it.
Sephora Collection Jumbo Liner 12HR Wear Waterproof My eyes water a lot and smudged eyeliner is all too familiar to me. I use this on my inner bottom lid and it stays put pretty decently.
Bobbi Brown Blush The perfect complement to sun-kissed skin.
Bobbi Brown Bronzing Powder If I'm not rockin' an airbrush tan, I'll swipe some of this on.
Sephora Collection Pro Natural Fan Brush #43 I use this to apply the bronzer and the blush. Gives me a light application and good cheekbone control.
L'Oreal Extra Volume Collagen Mascara I always, always apply mascara last and holy guacamole, this thing is amazing. My lashes have never looked so good. Thank you to Blairs Head Band and A. Liz Adventures for the recommendation!
Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler I curl with this before and after. I'm very insecure about my lashes and try to make them as big as possible.
Urban Decay Naked2 I use this for special occasions and weekends. I'm definitely not daring enough to experiment with all the colors so for now I use Bootycall on my brow bone, Chopper on my lid and Busted on the outer corners. The brush it comes with is great (flat end for Bootycall/Chopper, fluffy end for Busted).
What do you think? Do you use any of these?
Good question. But I think I really got it this time. It's simple and streamlined and makes me feel good.
I always love reading about what products you're all using, so I thought I'd share mine. The goods (in the order that I put them on...)
FIrst Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream This is the first step of my beauty regimen. I slather this on my face and neck. This is an amazing value - a big vat of thick moisturizer for only $28!
Clinique Touch Base for Eyes I don't do eyeshadow during the week. Just a swipe of this in Canvas Light across my lid. Very easy.
Trish McEvoy Deluxe Eye Shadow I use this in Shell as a matte highlighter on my brow bone.
Yves Saint Laurent Liquid Eyeliner I've been using this for years. Extra thin line. Top lid only.
Cover FX Natural FX Water Based Foundation SPF 15 Nice and light. I apply it with Sephora Pro Foundation Airbrush #55.
Amazing Cosmetics AmazingConcealer A little goes a long way. I use Sephora Collection Classic Concealer Brush #46 to apply and then blend it with the Airbrush.
Cover FX Setting FX Translucent Setting Powder This gives me the matte look and I want and need. I use my Bobbi Brown Bronzer Brush to apply it.
Sephora Collection Jumbo Liner 12HR Wear Waterproof My eyes water a lot and smudged eyeliner is all too familiar to me. I use this on my inner bottom lid and it stays put pretty decently.
Bobbi Brown Blush The perfect complement to sun-kissed skin.
Bobbi Brown Bronzing Powder If I'm not rockin' an airbrush tan, I'll swipe some of this on.
Sephora Collection Pro Natural Fan Brush #43 I use this to apply the bronzer and the blush. Gives me a light application and good cheekbone control.
L'Oreal Extra Volume Collagen Mascara I always, always apply mascara last and holy guacamole, this thing is amazing. My lashes have never looked so good. Thank you to Blairs Head Band and A. Liz Adventures for the recommendation!
Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler I curl with this before and after. I'm very insecure about my lashes and try to make them as big as possible.
Urban Decay Naked2 I use this for special occasions and weekends. I'm definitely not daring enough to experiment with all the colors so for now I use Bootycall on my brow bone, Chopper on my lid and Busted on the outer corners. The brush it comes with is great (flat end for Bootycall/Chopper, fluffy end for Busted).
What do you think? Do you use any of these?
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
February goal update and March goals
Here's how I did in February.... (hint: not great)
Buy pink pants. I didn't. I haven't found the right pair and after some reassessing I'm not entirely convinced I need to add them to my wardrobe right now.
Take 10 SoulCycle classes. I did! I took 11.
Read 3 books. I did not.
Lose one pound. I did!
Write 12 blog posts. I did not. I wrote 11.
Try 3 new restaurants. I did! This is never tough for me to accomplish. In February I dined at 5 restaurants for the first time: Market Table, Babbo, Morso, Empellon Cocina, and Armani / Ristorante.
Send snail mail once a week. I didn't keep track, but I know I didn't do it.
Try something new. See previous blog post.
Buy a plane ticket. I did!
Clean out wardrobe. I did, but it still needs some work.
Here are my goals for March:
What are yours?
Buy pink pants. I didn't. I haven't found the right pair and after some reassessing I'm not entirely convinced I need to add them to my wardrobe right now.
Take 10 SoulCycle classes. I did! I took 11.
Read 3 books. I did not.
Lose one pound. I did!
Write 12 blog posts. I did not. I wrote 11.
Try 3 new restaurants. I did! This is never tough for me to accomplish. In February I dined at 5 restaurants for the first time: Market Table, Babbo, Morso, Empellon Cocina, and Armani / Ristorante.
Send snail mail once a week. I didn't keep track, but I know I didn't do it.
Try something new. See previous blog post.
Buy a plane ticket. I did!
Clean out wardrobe. I did, but it still needs some work.
Here are my goals for March:
What are yours?
Monday, March 5, 2012
You can't always get what you want
Last week, I was in the SoulCycle locker room after my 6:00 AM class. I was blowdrying my hair straight when a girl with long flowing curls walked by.
"You have gorgeous hair," I said. (Side note: as anyone who has ever spent time with me in the wee hours of morning will tell you, I am an early bird and annoyingly chatty upon waking up. Perri, I'm looking at you. I see the way you look at me when we're doing our makeup together in hotel bathrooms and we haven't even had breakfast and I JUST WON'T SHUT UP!)
The girl smiled and then frowned. "Oh, thank you. I wish it were straight."
Why is the grass always greener on the other side of the fence?
I'm just as guilty as the next guy. I was born with curls, and when I was young, they were beautiful. As I got older, not so cute. My hair was thick and unruly. Over the years, my hair has thinned out and dries much closer to straight than it does to curly due to the many different experimental treatments I put it through. Recently, the Brazilian Blowout has simplified my life (and beauty regimen) beyond measure.
In all fairness, though, this girl DID have gorgeous hair. I wouldn't give an insincere compliment just because I wanted someone to chat with while I got ready. Long, wild blond curls with natural lowlights - a very free spirited look that complemented her professional ensemble. I felt so bad - a pretty girl with that head of hair and she didn't even like it!
For me, the past year or so has been about accepting what I've got and working with it. I think back to a few years ago and cringe; I should have been taking much better care of myself! But I try not to beat myself up about it too much. What's important is the present and the future.
What I've learned is that it's not about looking in the mirror and feeling beautiful; it's about looking in the mirror and feeling happy. It's about buying clothes because they're flattering and not just because they look cute on the hanger. It's about figuring out what makeup works best for me: that black eyeliner is superior to brown and that my face looks better matte than it does shimmery. It's about being careful in the sun, using lots of moisturizer, and fitting in an airbrush tan when I can. It's about fresh fruit and SoulCycle and sleep.
So much has happened and changed and I don't feel the same insecurities about my looks that I used to. I decided it was easier to embrace my flaws than fight them. Then again, I sympathize with the pretty-haired girl because I know how hard it can be to accept a compliment without being at all self-depricating. But I think the next time someone compliments me on my hair, or anything, I'll just smile and say, 'Thank you!"
I may never be the prettiest girl in the room, but sometimes I do think I'm the happiest. And I'll take joy over beauty any day.
"You have gorgeous hair," I said. (Side note: as anyone who has ever spent time with me in the wee hours of morning will tell you, I am an early bird and annoyingly chatty upon waking up. Perri, I'm looking at you. I see the way you look at me when we're doing our makeup together in hotel bathrooms and we haven't even had breakfast and I JUST WON'T SHUT UP!)
The girl smiled and then frowned. "Oh, thank you. I wish it were straight."
Why is the grass always greener on the other side of the fence?
I'm just as guilty as the next guy. I was born with curls, and when I was young, they were beautiful. As I got older, not so cute. My hair was thick and unruly. Over the years, my hair has thinned out and dries much closer to straight than it does to curly due to the many different experimental treatments I put it through. Recently, the Brazilian Blowout has simplified my life (and beauty regimen) beyond measure.
In all fairness, though, this girl DID have gorgeous hair. I wouldn't give an insincere compliment just because I wanted someone to chat with while I got ready. Long, wild blond curls with natural lowlights - a very free spirited look that complemented her professional ensemble. I felt so bad - a pretty girl with that head of hair and she didn't even like it!
For me, the past year or so has been about accepting what I've got and working with it. I think back to a few years ago and cringe; I should have been taking much better care of myself! But I try not to beat myself up about it too much. What's important is the present and the future.
What I've learned is that it's not about looking in the mirror and feeling beautiful; it's about looking in the mirror and feeling happy. It's about buying clothes because they're flattering and not just because they look cute on the hanger. It's about figuring out what makeup works best for me: that black eyeliner is superior to brown and that my face looks better matte than it does shimmery. It's about being careful in the sun, using lots of moisturizer, and fitting in an airbrush tan when I can. It's about fresh fruit and SoulCycle and sleep.
So much has happened and changed and I don't feel the same insecurities about my looks that I used to. I decided it was easier to embrace my flaws than fight them. Then again, I sympathize with the pretty-haired girl because I know how hard it can be to accept a compliment without being at all self-depricating. But I think the next time someone compliments me on my hair, or anything, I'll just smile and say, 'Thank you!"
I may never be the prettiest girl in the room, but sometimes I do think I'm the happiest. And I'll take joy over beauty any day.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Winter rut
Even though the season has been incredibly mild and it literally hasn't snowed, I feel quite stuck in a winter rut.
I feel like I've been wearing the same things and doing the same things and saying the same things. I hate to complain because life is really good and I don't want to sound bored or ungrateful, but the truth is that I just feel a bit stymied.
I've been living in my DVF wrap dresses and J. Crew Pixie pants. I'm over tights in the biggest way and have been wearing skinny jeans out at night whenever possible in an attempt to avoid all other leg wear. I've been going to SoulCycle three times a week and making lots of plans with girlfriends. All good things. I have been saying at least once a day that I need a vacation and that I'm dying to go skiing, or to the beach, but I haven't done a thing to actually plan anything.
One of my goals for the month of February was to try something new and as vague as that was, I didn't really do it. Not because I didn't want to, but because I couldn't think of something to do and time got away from me. And it bothers me, and I guess that's the whole point of this post. I've been playing it safe, and every so often I get a little stir crazy and the urge to step out of my comfort zone tugs on my sleeve. Do you ever feel this way?
I've been attempting to make little alterations and tweaks to my routine to help satisfy the desire for change but at the end of the day, I feel stifled. I keep saying I want to bake but I don't have an oven. I keep saying that I want to run but it's too cold out. I'm tired of the excuses! I don't want to make them anymore.
But the truth is that I really don't have an oven and it really is cold out, so in the meantime I'm going to use my parents' kitchen to try that recipe I saw on Bakerella and I'm going to bundle up for a short jog/walk combo in the park across the street. Where there's a will there's a way.
Am I alone in my principles or are you in a winter rut too?
I feel like I've been wearing the same things and doing the same things and saying the same things. I hate to complain because life is really good and I don't want to sound bored or ungrateful, but the truth is that I just feel a bit stymied.
I've been living in my DVF wrap dresses and J. Crew Pixie pants. I'm over tights in the biggest way and have been wearing skinny jeans out at night whenever possible in an attempt to avoid all other leg wear. I've been going to SoulCycle three times a week and making lots of plans with girlfriends. All good things. I have been saying at least once a day that I need a vacation and that I'm dying to go skiing, or to the beach, but I haven't done a thing to actually plan anything.
One of my goals for the month of February was to try something new and as vague as that was, I didn't really do it. Not because I didn't want to, but because I couldn't think of something to do and time got away from me. And it bothers me, and I guess that's the whole point of this post. I've been playing it safe, and every so often I get a little stir crazy and the urge to step out of my comfort zone tugs on my sleeve. Do you ever feel this way?
I've been attempting to make little alterations and tweaks to my routine to help satisfy the desire for change but at the end of the day, I feel stifled. I keep saying I want to bake but I don't have an oven. I keep saying that I want to run but it's too cold out. I'm tired of the excuses! I don't want to make them anymore.
But the truth is that I really don't have an oven and it really is cold out, so in the meantime I'm going to use my parents' kitchen to try that recipe I saw on Bakerella and I'm going to bundle up for a short jog/walk combo in the park across the street. Where there's a will there's a way.
Am I alone in my principles or are you in a winter rut too?
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