I Want: Rouge à Lèvres Noir

Dark lipstick, something I thought died away in the 90's, but is obviously making a comeback (as everything 90's is).  When I think of dark lipstick, two things come to mind.  One is Rayanne from "My So Called Life" who was always wearing a dark berry shade.  The other is from 7th grade when a friend and I grade got really into the band Orgy and we showed up at a birthday party wearing dark lipstick via Wet n Wild at a drugstore in 1997, it definitely was not too pretty. The first thought is much better to give as a visual.

There are two shades I am debating over.  They are both from YSL and really similar but one is darker.

YSL rouge pur couture noir laque

YSL rouge pur couture belle de rose

last two images via Nasty Gal

She is wearing the darker shade but with a fun technique to lighten the look and make it look worn-in.  Check out the Nasty Gal blog for the tutorial. I can't wait to try it myself!

Photo Fun in the Sun

Last week my good friend Kat came up and asked me to model for her for a late spring/early summer natural beachy photoshoot.  I had just gotten over being sick and had no makeup but we made it work. She is a great photographer, always fun and creative, easy to work with, so sweet, and her photos get better each time I get the chance to shoot with her!  She is located in Orange County and is interning at a photo studio there while she builds her portfolio.  Check her out!!

Daily Beauty Routines

Happy Monday! I hope you all had a fun, yet safe St. Patrick's Day weekend! I spent Saturday working a 10 hour shift at one of the restaurants I work at (yes, with no break and serving over 10 tables at a time on two floors!!).  I had to be there early that morning so amidst my sleepiness and the rain, I forgot to wear green and was reminded that by every single table. Anyway, I came home, took a long relaxing bath with Lavender and Epsom Salt, felt refreshed, and got ready for our night with friends.  Yesterday, we slept in, made breakfast at home and spent the day cleaning together--perhaps it sounds boring, but it was just what we needed.  It helped us feel relaxed and ready for this new week. 

When it comes to beauty and feeling confident, it is important to have a routine for both the outer (appearance) and the inner (body).  Here are some of my daily routines for both.

Hydration: It is so important to drink plenty of water throughout the day.
These pretty bottles make that possible on the go as well--and they are BPA free.

As much as I love wearing a color on my lips from time to time,
most days I wear chap stick only, and since high school, I have been
wearing Burt's Bees. 

Make sure you get plenty of beauty rest.  Everyone is different,
when I was 20, 6 hours was good. Now I need 7-8 hours in
order to function.

Balance out work with play. Make time for something
you love. For me, that is going for a walk somewhere
pretty--either due to nature or architecture.

Exercise at least 5 times a week and stretch everyday. I am not
even half this flexible, but I will keep trying! =)

St. Ives Apricot Scrub  (used at night only)
Make Up For Ever HD Primer in Neutral
Laura Mercier Oil-Free Tinted Moisturizer in Nude
Erase Paste by Benefit in No.2 Medium
Loreal True Match Powder in Nude Beige
Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess
Covergirl Lash Blast Fusion in Black Brown
Tarte Blush in Blissful 

CURRENT/ELLIOT Spring 2012

I recently discovered CURRENT/ELLIOT from looking at other fashion blogs and saw their new lookbook for Spring 2012.  I love the feeling of the melancholy-The Virgin Suicides-vintage inspired shoot and the fact that while looking through it, Air's "Cherry Blossom Girl" kept playing through my head.

Girl Crush: Diane Kruger

Diane Kruger is a German-born actress and former fashion model.  She is known for her roles as Helen in Troy, Abigail Chase in both National Treasure movies, Lisa in Wicker Park and Bridget von Hammersmark in Inglorious Basterds.  As a teen, she moved to London to attend a Ballet Academy, but an injury forced to her seek another direction, so she moved to Paris to pursue modeling.  From there, she decided she wanted to try acting and quickly became a rising star.  She will be playing Marie Antionette in this years much anticipated film, Farewell, My Queen.  She is absolutely stunning with her blue/green eyes, blonde hair, height, bone structure and camera presence.  Pretty, intelligent, cultured and talented, she is this week's girl crush!

With beau, Joshua Jackson

Inspiration: Fashion Style {Blogger Edition}

As I'm sure with most of my readers, I also look at lots of blogs for inspiration in fashion, recipes, places to go, decorating, organization tips and good reads.  Today's post will look at looks I love that reflect my own style, as posted by some of my favorite bloggers!

Sweaters with buttondowns:

dressy or casual

Emily

Kim

Oversized Sweaters:

with fitted pants or a flowy skirt

Natalie

Andrea

Dr. Martens:

with tight pants and a loose top

Dylana

Christina

Leather Jacket

Cara

Natalie (again)

What other bloggers reflect your style and inspire you?!

Girl Crush: Rachael Leigh Cook

Happy Monday everyone! I know, Rachael Leigh Cook seems like a random choice for this week's girl crush.  She really has not starred in anything big recently and has not been seen blasted on the pages of magazines.  However, I saw and met her this weekend and was reminded of how beautiful she is (I served the table for her and some of her girlfriends for brunch--she was one of the nicest people I have ever served)! I first remember seeing her in The Babysitter's Club when I was 10 (read every single book in Elementary School and watched the movie like 15 times) and as Becky in Tom and Huck (had the biggest crush on JTT)! Then, in Carpool and the "Your Brain on Drugs" commercials in the anti-heroin campaign in the late 90s. Then, of course, she starred as Laney Boggs in She's All That (an all-time fav) and Josie in Josie and the Pussycats.  Since then, she slowly fell out of the limelight--although she does have a few up-coming projects in the works including a TV show and some movie roles.  In 2011, she was awarded the Champion of Change for Arts Education by President Obama.  Keep an eye out for her as she is as gorgeous as ever, completely personable, sweet and has great style! She is a pure class-act and this week's girl crush!

Pinterest Wednesday

Happy Mid-week!  We still do not have internet at home so please forgive me, but my posts will be few and far between until next week.  Some fun inspiration via my Pinterest (click here for more).

Wharf 

Rain

Giraffe's are my favorite!

Love

Beauty

Wishes

Comfort

Cozy Love

Emotion

Never too old for a teepee or a fort ;)

Bag, dress, braid, glasses=PERFECT STYLE