current beauty favorites

As you might have noticed from my rudimentary makeup applications, I am not a beauty blogger. However, I like my products as much as the next girl. That being said, here are a few things I've been loving lately:

Thayer's Rose Petal Witch Hazel Toner - It took me way too long to realize that less is more when it comes to face cleansing. In the past, I just used this as a toner, but now it's all I use to clean my face.

Jason Thin-to-Thick Revitalizing Scalp Elixir - I think this is actually meant for hair loss, but it fluffs my hair without making it frizzy and makes it easier to control. Not a small feat considering the unflattering wave my hair generally attempts to create.

Laura Mercier Illuminating Tinted Moisturizer - I love the hell out of this product. It makes your skin look like you're wearing diamond dust. For a long time I used "Warm Radiance" for the whole "sun-kissed glow" look, but lately I've been using "Natural Radiance" and it matches my skin tone perfectly.

Tea Tree Oil - Essential for those of us who taste like Sookie Stackhouse to mosquitoes. Not only does it take the itch out and make bug bites go away faster, but it repels them, too.

Frownies Eye Gels - Total grandmother remedy, but these things are great. They reduce puffiness and dark circles much like cucumber slices, but they stick to your face so you can multitask while you have them on. They're also reusable if you re-wet them with rose water (I just use the Thayer's toner).

Perricone Cold Plasma - I'm a total Perricone junkie, but this stuff might be my favorite product to date. My skin tone has improved light years since I've been using it.

Mario Badescu Drying Lotion - Best. Zit. Zapper. Ever.

Arnica Gel - I swear by this stuff. I bruise very easily and I've found Arnica reduces bruise visibility time by half. Also great for general muscle aches.

Perricone Eye Lift Synergy Kit - What can I say? I stay up late dilly-dallying on the computer so I appreciate a good under eye treatment. Highly recommend this set.

Hope you all are making it through the week! Only two more days to go!

PS Thank you so much to everyone who sent me San Francisco and Napa suggestions! Keep 'em coming!

new nebula

This outfit was worn for dinner at Againn, where B and I have been wanting to go for ages now. We were not at all disappointed. The oysters were incredible, as were the chorizo-stuffed chicken and the fish and chips. Oh and I'd definitely recommend trying the chocolate trifle for dessert. Total comfort food.





I'm so thrilled to have finally found a pair of cat eye sunglasses that fits my face! Having a child-sized head has its drawbacks...

Marc by Marc Jacobs sunglasses
Ann Taylor choker
blouse c/o Romwe
skirt c/o Romwe
Rag Doll bandeau
thrifted and Madewell bracelets (here and here) 
Lee Angel cuff 
Coach "Classic" bag (i.e. one I've had squirreled away in my closet for years - here are updated versions in brown and red)
Givenchy lace pumps

PS Did I mention B and I will be traveling to San Francisco and Napa in just a couple weeks? I could not be more excited! I've only been to the Bay area once for work and I hardly had time to see anything. Where should we go? What should we do? More importantly, what should we eat?!

Peach Cobbler

It's peach season, so here's a quintessential peach dessert. I really love this cobbler recipe because the topping is almost biscuit-y, not overly sweet.

For this recipe, you will need:

Cobbler filling:

    4 cups peeled and sliced fresh peaches (blanch in boiling water for 30 seconds to remove the skins)
    3/4 cup brown sugar
    1 teaspoon cinnamon
    1 teaspoon vanilla
    1 tablespoon flour

Cobbler crust:

    1 cup flour
    1 teaspoon baking powder
    1/2 teaspoon baking soda
    3 tablespoons brown sugar
    4 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
    2/3 cup buttermilk
    1 tablespoon brown sugar, for topping
    whipped cream or ice cream

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.

Generously butter a 1 1/2-quart shallow baking dish. Place the sliced peaches in the dish and sprinkle with brown sugar, cinnamon, vanilla, and flour. Mix gently and spread evenly again. Bake for 10 minutes.

Meanwhile combine all dry ingredients for cobbler crust in a bowl. Cut in the butter with a pastry cutter or your fingers, to make the texture like coarse crumbs. Add buttermilk and stir to form a soft dough.

Remove fruit from oven and drop rounded spoonfuls of dough on top. Sprinkle with last tablespoon of brown sugar and return to oven. Bake until fruit is bubbly and crust topping is golden brown, about 20 minutes. Serve warm with ice cream or whipped cream (or both)!





Served in an Emile Henry baking dish (I have 4 of these in various sizes - highly recommend them!)

Recipe by Kristina Williamson (via the Food Network)

Harley Quinn

Summer's not over just yet! Don't panic! There's still time to wear light floaty things!









Look, I'm twirling in celebration. All is not lost.



Make Up For Ever lipstick in 'Moulin Rouge"
Ray-Ban wayfarers
vintage silver turquoise necklace
dress c/o Romwe
vintage belt
vintage, Zuni, and Pandora bracelets
Michael Kors watch
Givenchy boots
KMRii bag (similar style here)

late summer transitions

This dress is made from the softest fabric ever. It feels like a favorite nightgown that you've had forever. Kind of a comforting feeling. Also nice to have a long, breathable piece that works for warm days, yet easily adapts for crisper weather. Dare I say I'm excited for the coming season?



B surprised me with this pretty necklace. Isn't he a nice husband? I love that it looks like a lace collar. Asymmetry is always a plus, too.







Just a few random shots of the Rose of Sharon bushes in our yard. They're always so pretty after it rains.

Madewell necklace
Patterson J. Kincaid dress
Urban Outfitters belt
vintage gold cuff (similar here)
Michael Kors watch
Bally bag
Miu Miu platforms

PS How wild was that earthquake today?

Basil and Tarragon Pesto

As much as I hate to admit it, I do refer to Rachael Ray's recipes from time to time (her gumbo recipe isn't half-bad, either). The idea of adding tarragon to pesto is pretty genius. I'm already a tarragon fanatic, but I think it adds a delicate flavor to pesto that's kind of refreshing for summer.

For this recipe, you will need:

  1/4 cup pine nuts
  1 cup basil, 20 leaves
  1/2 cup chopped tarragon leaves (10 to 12 stems)
  handful flat-leaf parsley
  1 lemon, zested
  1 clove garlic
  1/2 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
  coarse black pepper
  1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil, eyeball it

Toast pine nuts in a small pan until golden.

Place nuts, basil, tarragon, parsley, lemon zest, garlic, cheese and a little salt and pepper in a food processor. Turn the processor on and stream in the extra-virgin olive oil until thick sauce forms. Serve with pasta, meat, or whatever you like!




Adapted from Rachael Ray's Three Vegetable Penne Pasta.

wackycrazyfunpants

Got caught in some totally bizarre weather this weekend - how does it rain when the sun is shining and there's not a cloud in the sky? Anyway, about the pants. These pants are $28. Another article of clothing that lends itself so nicely to movement. And I suspect these would double nicely as pajama pants, if one were so inclined...



...but that doesn't mean I'm ok with getting my hair wet.

Illesteva sunglasses
Ann Taylor choker 
H&M tank top
Michael Kors watch
Hermes and thrifted bangles
vintage shell-shaped clasp belt 
KMRii bag
Forever 21 palazzo pants
Le Chateau platforms

bit of the bubbly

I love the amazing rings on the print of this dress. Even more so when I look at these photos. I seem to have a penchant for dresses that look cooler when they move.







This outfit was worn for celebrating a good friend's engagement with drinks and small plates at Lincoln Restaurant. I've always been more of an appetizer girl so I quite like the concept of a restaurant that focuses on small, affordable selections. Also has great Prosecco and cocktails so I was easily won over. Did you all have a nice weekend? Ready to get back to the grind? Yeah, me neither...

gifted necklace from Lucky Magazine
thrifted dress
vintage cuff (similar here)
thrifted bangle
Michael Kors watch
purse from a random boutique
YSL wedges

day/night/whatever

I've been attempting to brighten up my corporate attire lately (in the past it's been mostly on the black, white, and gray scale). This is more of a day-to-night look, I suppose. Speaking of work, how ready are you for this week to end?

Ann Taylor necklace (I flipped it around because I didn't care for the bling)
Adam dress
Zara blazer
vintage cuff
Michael Kors watch
Lauren Merkin clutch
Proenza Schouler heels

just desserts

Dressed up to go all Martha Stewart-like on a road-trip to Connecticut. Much fun was had with the yankee folk. Managed to do some successful antiquing/thrifting, too. Will share my new treasures with you soon. Subjective pronouns are lame.







Illesteva sunglasses
Anthropologie sweater
American Apparel tank top
rope necklace from a boutique in Annapolis
Michael Kors watch
thrifted bangles
gifted Banana Republic bag
Jean Michel Cazabat flats

District of Chic by Lacee Swan

Lacee Swan was so sweet to feature me in her Fan Club. I love this illustration because the watercolor style suits this dress so well! Such a lovely piece. Check out more of her beautiful drawings here!

ruby boots

Hot red boots on a t-shirt? Yeah, it doesn't get much better than this. I saw these guys with Reckless Kelly a couple weekends ago and liked them enough to get one of their sweet t-shirts. As if I didn't have enough band t-shirts in my closet already...







Micky and the Motorcars t-shirt (Check out their music. Obv I'm a fan.)
Missoni cardigan
Madewell jean shorts
Maria Bonita Extra belt
Madewell bracelets (here and here)
Michael Kors watch
Cesare Paciotti sandals