August Nights

"This was our last weekend together, and we didn't feel like going to Fort Sumter and touring goddamn colonial homes. We wanted to go to the beach and meet boys and go to wild parties and dance."  

Shag

A Post Dedicated to Making the Most of What's Left of Summer.


Eating blueberries with cream.

All because of the excerpt below.

Naps.  Lots, and lots, of naps.   Completely unappologetic naps.

Getting to the barn.  Truest saying ever?  The outside of  a horse is good for the inside of a girl. 

To swim as much as humanly possible.

 To cook more, and look nice while doing so.

Transitioning summer staples so they're almost fall appropriate.  one of my favorite looks is blouses and jean shorts.

A Royal September Issue

Charlotte Casiraghi might just be the most beautiful woman in the world.  I've praised her beauty in the past  (see it here) and I'm so glad to see her on the cover of Vogue Paris.   Shot by Mario Testino, this is  an editorial that is nothing short of breathtaking, and I can't help but feel like Charlotte looks a little more like her royal grandmother Grace Kelly with every passing year.   The fact that Casiraghi is the September issue's cover-girl is remarkable (no model?  no actress?  gasp), and perhaps it's a reflection of our recent obsession with royalty?  Regardless, I'm absolutely loving it.

Season Appropriate Makeup

While putting on my makeup this morning, I realized just how frequently my makeup routine changes.  There's the seasonal change, but also the change that has as I've gotten older.  While I used to be a bit too addicted to bronzer and black eyeliner (and granted, I still wear both) I've learned to make the look more natural and less put-on.  Below are some of my beauty favorites as of right now.  I have been running low on makeup for the past month and FINALLY went out and bought some goodies.  I'm currently loving-

Elizabeth Arden Plump Perfect Lip Moisture Cream -  This stuff is amazing.  I apply it just like I would a moisturizer, and the SPF keeps my lips protected but also plumps up my rather fine lips (and it doesn't burn like most!)  This has become a makeup staple

Chanel Nail Lacquer in Vamp - I usually reserve my deep reds for winter months, but this rich cranberry looks perfect with a tan.  As you can see, it's almost gone, and that's from all the use I've been getting from it the past two months!

Moroccan Oil Luminous Hairspray - When the weather is hot and humid the last thing I want is a sticky hairspray weighing my already fine hair down more.  This is the perfect, light, hairspray that adds volume and shine.

Estee Lader Double Wear Gel Eyeliner in Midnight -  The versatility of this stuff is key.  It can go on super light and be barely noticeable, but make a thicker line and you're ready for a night on the town.  I also love that the deep navy is a bit less harsh than black.

Yves Saint Laurent Rogue Volupte in Lush Coconut - This is probably the coolest lipstick I've ever tried.  I will be buying it in multiple colors, but can tell you the "Lush Coconut"  is one that will be wearable year-long.  It adds shimmer and shine without looking gooey or cakes.

DiorShow Iconic - It's my go-to mascara.  It never irritates my eyes, separates lashes, and makes them look huge.  I mean, what more do you want out of a mascara?

Tokyo Milk in Paper & Cotton - I bought this lil' gem on a trip to Kansas City a couple months ago, and it's been my fragrance for Summer 2011.   It *almost* smells like a boy's cologne.  But so light and fresh it just couldn't be.

Estee Lauder Double Wear Light - I've praised this foundation before, and it's still the ultimate in light coverage.  It lasts all day, doesn't make me oily, and is just the right amount of coverage for my skin.  A year-round essential.

Vintage Inspiration for a Thursday

The weekend is ALMOST here.  Here are some pretty shots to get ya through the work week.

Hold on tight!  A vintage boating pic that I'm absolutely enamored with.

From Charm magazine, 1958, Conde Nast archives.

Truman Capote in his NYC apartment.  Think this is where Breakfast at Tiffany's was written?

Jean Shrimpton, Conde Nast Resort Collection

Who did this first?  Brigitte or Marilyn?  Regardless, Brigitte looks beautiful all windswept.

...I Heart my iPhone...

image via hard to explain.

Anyone that knows me, knows my iPhone is pretty much apart of me.  It goes with me everywhere, and I dress it up in new covers as much as Paris Hilton dressed up Tinkerbell in doggy outfits.  I once had a crackberry, but I dumped that quicker than a bad boyfriend, and have been hooked on my iPhone ever since.  Below is a list of my favorite apps, that have helped to fuel my love affair with my phone. 

Style.com - This app is amazing.  It covers the latest runway shows, parties, and shows amazing style videos.  Also, I adore voting for the "Look of the Day."  

Epicurious - Nothing gets me more excited than finding a good recipe.  Epicurious takes the best of the best from magazines like Bon Apetit and organizes them in an easy to maneuver app.  If you cook at all, get it.

Tumblr - I recently discovered Tumblr, and the app for the iPhone makes it incredibly easy to use.  Upload posts quickly, see who is following you, and follow other accounts just like your on your computer.  Perfect for blogging on the go.

Instagram - Okay, it's *almost* overused.  Key word being almost, but you can't deny how easy it is to turn a blah pic into a vintage masterpiece.

Around Me -  This thing has pretty much saved my life on multiple occasions.  Find whatever you're looking for, and get easy to follow directions.  Probably my most used app.

Pandora - I can't believe how many people don't know what this is.  It's like a radio, but selects music that it knows you will like.  I use it more than my iTunes, and is my favorite way to discover new bands.

Sound Hound -  Not only can this music-identifying app pick up songs in loud bars, it will tell you the lyrics as the song plays.   How cool is that?

Rue La La -  Who knows where you'll be when 10:00 a.m. rolls around.  The Rue La La app makes it so you never miss a sale.  It's easy to use, quick, and most of my purchases from the site have been bought off the app (FYI Haute Look and Gilt Group have apps that are great as well.)

NPR News - I have several news source applications, but NPR is the easiest to use.  Sorts stories by popularity, topics, and newscasts.

iRelax -  Create a sound perfect for you to fall asleep to.  My favorite is thunder and ocean.  It's so relaxing and even has a timer.  Love it.

What are your favorite apps?

Swedish Candy

I love nothing more than discovering a beauty from decades past and ogling over her killer style.  My latest find is Swedish actress Ewa Aulin.   Baring a striking resemblance to Brigitte Bardot, this beauty has a style all her own.   Part babydoll chic, part Egyptian princess, I'm in love with her unique take on 60's fashion.

Picking Up What She's Putting Down

~ Mixed prints

~ Big, blonde hair

~ Babydolls and boots

~ A classic, soft pink lipstick

~ Jewelry that makes a statement

~ Being unapologetically girly

Just a Tease

While I struggle to breath in this extremely humid, hot air, I can't help but fantasize about autumn, and naturally, the gorgeous clothes that come with it.  Luisa Spagnoli's fall campaign is exactly the imagery I'm craving as summer's enchantment slowly dwindles, with every passing, sticky day.  Featuring model Charlotte Cordes, these looks are so perfect for fall.