first position

Sometime late summer last year (which in this weather feels like a million miles away) I had my hair cut off. I always was attracted to women who could wear their hair short and slick and maintain a feminine and graceful appearance. It was a simple way to shorten my time in the morning, as well as, keep my hair from aggravating me on humid and hot summer days. While home a few weeks ago I was on the edge of keeping a bit of length versus bringing it back up short. I went somewhere in between and then enter Jennifer Lawerence photographed by Patrick Demarchelier for Miss Dior.

Needless to say my hair went from a soft blow out to a unfinished tasseled 'I woke up like this' look. I used Toni & Guy Casual Sea Salt Texturing Spray because it was the only thing I could find this morning but plan on investing in Bumble & Bumble's Texture hair undressing creme. The sea salt spray smells amazing but doesn't quite hold shape. While I'm out I also need to pick up Clinique's even better dark spot corrector which I used several years ago but haven't used since. This winter has been particularly hard on my skin and has left a few uneven spots where blemishes came and went.

Last week I was gifted with Roses de Chloé which has snapped out any chance of the winter blues creeping in. With the fresh top note of bergamot, a heart of rose and a trail of musk and amber, I feel completely buttoned up for the day. The beautiful spot "Blowing Roses" makes me wish I had never quit ballet. Speaking of the ballet, my mom and I attended À la Française on Saturday here in NYC. We were both swept away in the grace and beauty of the dancers. Their dedication and strength was inspiring. I left feeling like I should put a bit more effort into my own work, personal and professional.

So with that note, I'm off to work on this hazy, gray Monday. Have a good week!

spring break forever

It's spring off and on. Sizzles like summer some days and feels like fall the next. Regardless, every chance I get I'm outside. Chris has been working every weekend on the deck creating a garden oases. You'll find me with an iced coffee art directing or sunbathing. I refreshed some of my beauty cabinet with the change of the weather. Dior Crème De Rose Lip Balm keeps my lips smooth enough for all the lipstick damage I do during the day. Plus it has SPF in it to protect my pout when I'm sunbathing. I recently became very attracted to the rose notes in fragrance making Chloé Eau de Parfum an ideal fit. The base of cedarwood, amber, and honey makes it more sophisticated rather than a teenage floral. Just this past weekend I picked up YSL's top secrets natural action exfoliator. Applied to a dry face, the honey texture transforms to a light oil then to a milk to remove dead skin cells. Rinse with cool water and your on your way to beautiful skin. I always cringe at the word "exfoliator" because I think of rough, sandy textures but this one is extremely smooth and you only have to use a dime sized dollop for your entire face. Kiehl's blue herbal gel cleanser is a good everyday makeup remover/acne treatment. I don't break out often but I do have blemishes from time to time. This has cleared up my skin better than any cleanser in the past. My mum gave me a small vial of the SolarOil nail and cuticle conditioner that I keep at my desk at work. At least once I week I brush it onto my cuticles, let it sit for a few minutes and easily press my cuticles back. It maintains my manicure and makes my nail beds look long and clean. Lastly, I've bought into the idea of "an apple a day…" by having a honey crisp apple with lunch everyday. Who knew such a small fruit could give such a boost of energy, subdue my need to reach for the candy bowl and flatten my belly. This might be the best product shown above actually. Until the next time the temperatures hit about 75. Xo

i fall for fall

And just like that, summer is over. I've been in a blissful state now that things have cooled down. Sleeping with the windows open with the cool air coming in has left me rested and ready to start the day each morning. With fall comes a change of weather and some fun additions to my lifestyle. The Balenciaga buckle ankle boots are an ideal wardrobe staple but let's face it, I need to pay rent instead. (A girl can dream) Alexander Wang coin purse for my metro card, more film for my mini polaroid camera, MOR candle to scent my room, ck one pure color lipstick in lip lock for a perfect berry pout, cider donuts which I can not say no to at every flea market, a Movado watch in rose gold and gold stamped Kate Spade note cards to write well wishes to friends and family this season. Rock on fall, I love you.

putting on the spritz

Recently my days have been… stressful to say the least. Times where I feel stretched to my limit always remind me of endless hours spent in the design studio. Another student who was a year ahead of me always seemed to be on top of her game, even in times of complete chaos. You would never know that she had been in the studio all night because she presented herself calm, cool and collected. Lipstick on, hair clean and neat. She gave me a bit of advice that has stuck with me since that day. "I always try to look nice because getting dressed and putting on my makeup is sometimes the only good part of my day."

When I feel beat up because of the daily grind sometimes I wear my favorite dress or lipstick to pick me up. I may feel like I'm falling apart but that doesn't mean I need to look it. More than anything my fragrance picks me up the most. Above is what currently is on display on my bureau.

Top row, left to right: Coco Mademoiselle, Chanel Chance, Balenciaga Paris, Balenciaga L'Essence and Bottega Veneta. Bottom row, left to right: LAVANILLA Laboratoreis Vanilla Grapefruit, Vera Wang Lovestruck, Clinique Happy, Prada Infustion d'Iris and Marc Jacobs Splash in Fig (no longer available).

something on your face

One of the most vivid memories from my childhood is of my mom putting makeup on me for my ballet rehearsals. I remember the blush, the subtle eye shadow, a little lipstick and most of all, the cat-eye liner. I remember looking in a mirror thinking that this is how ladies should look. This is how I should look. It isn't much of a surprise that 20-some years later that I end up in the beauty industry.

I've tried most looks and trends but always come back to the classic look that was established by my mom many years ago. I've found a collection of products and brands that are my go-to. I defend my spending since I am not a clothes or shoes type of girl but rather a beauty junkie. Instead of purchasing many different products to figure out what I love, I've learned to ask for samples. Out of all those samples there are 6 products that I use daily. Clockwise: MOR Lip Macaron, Chanel Eyeshadow, NARS Lip Pencil, Clinque Eyeliner, Dior Mascara and Benefit High Beam

a week in brief

Stopping in briefly before I head into another meeting. The time between Halloween and New Years always flies by. Hopefully next week will be a little more calm and I can come back and blog about some things I've been thinking about. Here's a quick glimpse though of what I've been drinking, eating, listening to and smelling like. More soon, promise! Start right, top and go clockwise: Bottega Veneta, l'Occitane sheer butter hand cream, Softlips in Vanilla, San Pellegrino Spring Natural Mineral Water, "Sway" by The Kooks, Fage greek yogurt

ghouling good

Happy Halloween! I'm wishing everyone tricks and treats from NYC. I spent my weekend in California with both an old and now some new friends. The photo is of myself painted as a sugar skull. I've had an obsession with Día de los Muertos ever since high school. It's a tradition that I wish were celebrated here in the states. Wouldn't it be great to be able to dress up and celebrate the lives of those lost in a colorful, beautiful way? I love that the skulls represent the sweetness of life (sugar) and the sadness in death (skull). A big thanks to Matt for the photo and being the best California guide all weekend.

déjà vu

Do you believe in reincarnation? I think in a previous life I lived in Paris, wore gowns, drank champagne, ate macarons and lived in a gold gilded chateau. I dream of the chance to up and leave to move to Paris. Funny how this is a dream yet I've never visited. I just feel like it would be much more my pace.

a precious pout

Some say that lipstick was first worn by Greek women who crushed semi-precious jewels and adorned their lips with them. When I was younger lipstick meant dance recitals, halloween and playing dress up at my mom-moms. Today it's an essential part of my daily routine. It's the last thing I do before I leave my apartment and the first thing I think about when putting an outfit together. Like I previously posted about my love of solid black with a pop of color, this is another way I achieve that look. I have little lips but color boosts them up and makes me feel confident and much like a classic movie star. Above are some of my favorite colors from NARS. Their matte lipstick is the best. It stays on forever and doesn't smudge or bleed to your skin. Left to Right: Funny Face, Jungle Red, Love Devotion, Manhunt, Roman Holiday

hellbent

I caught Hellcats last night on the CW and openly confess that I loved it. I can't help it! It's cheerleading, dancing, gymnastics and everything else that made up the past 24 years of my life. I had no idea who the lead blonde was but intended to google her the first chance I got. Name: Aly Michalka. Obsessed: Very. Here's Aly at the premiere of 'Easy A' in LA. I LOVE this entire look. The cat eye, the nude lips, the hair (oh my god that hair) and the dress to boot. Sadly I can't located the designer of the dress but will update when I do. She's just to die for. Total gym inspiration and having that I took the day off yesterday due to extreme lack of sleep, tonight I'll be going back with a mental photo of this chicks bad bod. Girl Crush!

anything you can do, i can do better

I see it in magazines and on the street. I do it in my apartment but always chicken out last minute. I'm talking about shorts with tights! I love the look on everyone else but never thought I could pull it off myself. Today is a new day and I was feeling quite adventurous while getting dressed this morning. After a quick phone google of 'shorts with tights' I found my inspiration, threw together an ensemble and out the door I went. Olivia Palermo twist back hair to polish off the look! Happy Thursday. I'll try to follow up with a photo of my own outfit! :)

something blue

Awoke to the sound of rain this morning which means I didn't get up until the last possible minute. I've been having the worst time sleeping for a few days. I tried to pull my blinds, making everything pitch black, window open, window close, tea before bed, extra blankets, more clothes, less clothes, but nothing has changed. I wake up with nightmares lingering, you know that feeling? Sometimes a change of atmosphere helps, maybe tonight I'll crash in the living room. Anyway, not to bore you all with my sleepless nights. Mood board for the rain today. The sky was the most perfect gray-blue this morning when I finally did get out of bed. These pictures capture the color, softness, reflection and overall attitude of my morning. Have a good Tuesday.

moody gray

Waking up to the rain always puts in me in a odd mood. Kind of slinky-slow like I just drank a bottle of wine. I'm starting to wake up now but the board above visually describes my mood. Happy Thursday, one more day until weekend bliss.

the mask

Shout out to a favorite model of mine, Abby Lee Kershaw. That hair, those lips, that body! If anything gets me up and moving to the gym today, this is it. More below from Vogue's 90th Anniversary Party.

http://tiny.cc/masquerade_party

poppy perfect

I'm a fan of wearing all black with a pop of color. Usually I highlight my lips with a deep red or wine colored lip stick. This poppy flower pin could be my new trick though. I"m pretty sure I could make one of these myself but in the case that I need it right away, they are available for purchase at the site listed below. Think if you did one in a great patterned fabric. A trip to the garment district may be in my near future!

http://www.emersonmade.com/collections/flower-pins

watercolor dreams

One more post until I am off for the weekend. I thought this beautiful dress was appropriate given all the rain we've had in the past few days. Have a great weekend, stay dry :)

http://bit.ly/atXJwd

watch your tone

I trust Clinique but when this product came out, I was very skeptical. Mostly because it sounded too good to be true. While I never suffered from acne or other skin problems, I was always wishing the overall tone of my skin was more even. It's not severe enough to call in a doctor and can easily be covered up with minimal makeup. For those reasons alone, I sing the praises of Clinique's Even Better line. It works for severe cases and cases like mine that are minimal. After 40 days I saw a noticeable reduction of redness in my lower cheeks and my chin from using the serum (shown on the right). Now I use the moisturizer (shown on the left) every 3 days and the serum as a spot treatment. The best part, I'm still on the same bottle of serum from 3 months ago and I never skipped on application. There's more than enough in the bottle. So whether you can severe skin tone problems or minimal you can use this product. I highly recommend it.