Monday, April 30, 2012

A Pre Summer Playlist



Making a new playlist or CD has got to be my favorite way to welcome a new season.   I've been doing this since I was a freshman in high school, and it's amazing how listening to "Summer 2002" can bring back memories that have been buried deep in the recesses of my mind for who knows how long.  I compiled this little playlist on Spotify and had it on loop yesterday.   It's the sort of stuff that is easy to get lost in and is perfect for daydreaming.  Or lazy car rides to the lake.  Or sitting outside sipping sangria.  Enjoy.
  1. Local Natives - "Wide Eyes"
  2. Ryan Bingham - "The Poet"
  3. Simian Mobile Disco - "Cruel Intentions"
  4. The Black Keys - "Howlin' For You"
  5. Cut Copy - "Need You Now"
  6. Polica - "Amongster"
  7. Gardens & Villa - "Thorn Castles"
  8. Lana del Rey - "Diet Mountain Dew"
  9. The Ruby Suns - "There Are Birds"
  10. James Vincent McMorrow - "Higher Love"
  11. Fun - "Some Nights"
  12. The Tallest Man on Earth - "Pistol Dreams"
  13. Alabama Shakes - "Rise to the Sun"
  14. The Big Pink - "Velvet"
  15. Jack White - "Wayfaring Stranger"
  16. Moon Taxi - "Let's Go Back" 
  17. French Kicks - "Abandon"
  18. Animal Kingdom - "Strange Attractor"
  19. Iron & Wine - "Boy with a Coin"
  20. The Jezabels - "Endless Summer"






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Friday, April 27, 2012

Brutally Handsome/Terminally Pretty

For your viewing pleasure - because let's be honest - there's no accessory as wonderful as a good-looking man. ;)


Kate & Jared



Georgia & Jeremy


Daria & Pierce


Gemma & George

Natalia & Sam


Behati & Jamie


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Thursday, April 26, 2012

And Caroline Wore White

I've been trying pretty hard to not let my upcoming wedding consume my every thought (being that it's not till July 2013, that could get exhausting).  But when I see editorials like this?  I can't wait to dive head-first into dress shopping, flower arrangements and all the other fun details that come with wedding days.  Brazilian model Caroline Trentini's big day was featured in US Vogue, and I'm completely in love with her decliate yet modern dress.   Intricate sleeves, a simple skirt, and sweetheart neckline make for a dress like none I've ever seen.  I also adore  all the white flowers and hints of blue in the decor (see 4th photo down).   That messy little up-do is perfection - perhaps only the kind of perfection a model could pull off, but I love it regardless. There is definitely quite a bit of inspiration to be gathered from these shots.  

















Images via Vogue

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Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Pretty, Skinny, Gold




There's something in the way a delicate gold chain can fall just so around a girls' clavicle.  In my opinion, it's one of the *sexiest* and most innocent ways to draw attention to decolletage without being risque.  I recently purchased a 24" inch gold chain with a simple initial engraved disc charm.  It's quickly become my go-to jewelry item, my favorite part definitely being the chain.  It's so fine that in certain lights it's hard to tell if there's a chain at all or just a little glitter that found it's way to my chest.  This is a jewelry item that every girl should own (right up there with a good watch).  Below are some options if you're looking to invest.





{From left to right}

Ginnette_NY Mini Lace Monogram Necklace in Rose Gold
Jennifer Meyer 18 k Gold & Diamond Hamsa Pendant
J Crew Lion Head Locket Necklace
Mallarino 24 k Gold Vermeil Ball & Tassle Necklace
Topshop XL Heart Necklace



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Monday, April 23, 2012

Blushing Over It









There are few things prettier than a rosy cheek.   And although it is *always* apart of my daily makeup routine, it's probably the makeup item I put the least amount of thought into.  Which is pretty silly because the color, amount, and location in which rogue is applied can completely transform a face (as the pictures above demonstrate).    My current blush (Lorac, Exposed) is running  low, and I'm beyond eager to try something new.  After reading different beauty articles, I've decided that I want my next blush to be a simple matte, that provides a healthy glow.  This will be an interesting change for me being that almost all of my blushes in the past have had shimmery gold undertones.




1.  Estee Lauder Tender Blush Sheer Stick -  I love this stuff - it provides a healthy glow, and is what I wear when I'm wanting to add a bit of a tan look without piling on the bronzer. Gold undertones make is night time appropriate.  Only complaint is that it rubs off pretty easily.

2.  Lorac Baked Matte Satin Blush -  I purchased this blush because I was wanting Nars Orgasm (see below) and my local beauty retailer was out.   So I gave this a try.  I find that it's a little brighter than Nars' famous "Orgasm", thus making it more daytime appropriate.

3.  Nars Blush in Orgasm -  This cult favorite has become world-known for a reason - it flatters every skin type and almost has a bronze like effect, making one look like they spent a day at the beach.  It is so pretty - only complaint is if one is too tan, it doesn't have the same dazzling effect, and it's hard to tell you're wearing it.

4.  Urban Decay Afterglow Cheek Tint in Crush -  I received a free sample of this and was taken aback by how bright it was.  But when I tried it on, I adored how it made me look like I was blushing.  It's youthful and fun, and I love that it's not ultra natural - you can tell you're wearing a fun colored blush without looking like a clown.

5.  Tarte Amazonian Clay 12 Hour Blush -  I have read too many amazing reviews on this stuff not to try it.  The one thing I've heard time after time about this product is that it's so natural and actually improves skin's balance, which is why it wears for so long.

6.  Benefit Dandelion Blush - This blush has one so many beauty awards and is supposedly key in making one look fresh faced and well rested.   I was wary to try this at first - thinking it'd be too light for my medium skin tone, but was pleasantly surprised to find that it still provided that healthy glow.


Happy blushing!




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Friday, April 20, 2012

Back to Life, Back to Reality

Well, my vacation hangover is in full effect.  I'm missing days filled with beach walks, roaming markets, and swimming.  But I'm loving sleeping in my own bed, not drinking all day ;), and eating normal food (hello, salads!).   Below are some pictures of my trip.  It really was the most relaxing, laid back week and  my mind is slowly returning to reality. 


View from our room.

Holding the nicest baby lion ever.


Bars on the beach.



The infinity pool that we spent quite a bit of time at.


Dior Key Lock Sandals (from last year), BCBG Maxi Skirt.  


The beach in Isla Mujeres.

Knock off Ray Bans.  


Nothing like authentic Mexican food. 


A wonderfully beach ready bag - find it here.  


Vogue Mexico and Vogue Belleza were perfect "reads" while on the beach. 



Scent of the Trip - Bobbi Brown Beach, lotion and body oil.


The yummiest shrimp cocktail ever.

Coronas at an amazing hole in the wall bar in Isla Mujeres.




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Friday, April 13, 2012

...Quite Excited...

Today I'm so excited to be guest blogging over at one of my favorite sites The Beauty File.  Please head over and check out my post on essentials for a day at the beach.  Inspiration was easily found for this post due to the fact that by the time you're reading this I'll be in sunny Mexico!  Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!





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Thursday, April 5, 2012

A Bit About Moi

Last week Victoria Rose from Chateau de Victoria tagged me in one of those fun posts where you pretty much just tell people about yourself, then ask some fun questions to your fellow blogging friends.  Well, since I'm a little late to the game, I figured I'd just share some fun facts about me.  This is something I've enjoyed doing for years - in grade school my friends and I would just make lists of what our "favorites" were.  When MySpace was big, I was always that girl filling out those silly surveys... So in all honesty this really excites me.  So without further ado, a bit about myself.

  • My favorite movie is The Graduate.  However, I find it very hard to pick just one.
  • Reading should always include a cup of coffee or tea and a warm blanket.
  • My favorite city ever is London - I lived there for a summer and fell in love.  I believe it's the only  big city I could live in and be truly happy. 
  • I get strangely emotional over good music, good art, and memories.
  • My earliest memory is from when I was 2 1/2.  My Grammy Berget was staying with me and I was eating mashed potatoes.
  • I am very proud of the fact that I'm almost 100% Norwegian (but I'm also Irish, English, and Swiss.)
  • I'm addicted to swimming and the ocean.  In a previous life I might have been a mermaid.  
  • Stores like Saks and Harrods make me so, so, so happy.  Euphoric even.   There is nothing like a good day of shopping.
  • To say I love animals would be a huge understatement.  If I could, I'd own a zoo (but then again maybe I wouldn't, because, well I don't think animals should be stuck in zoos.)  So I'd own a wildlife preserve!
  • I found my dream house and am *this* close to knocking the person's door and saying, "hey, if ya ever want to sell...."   It's brick and has the most amazing, knarly, tree in the front yard.
  • To be cozy is to be happy. 
  • Adventures, travel, and exploring are all things I want to always be apart of my life. 












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