Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Getting Older

My birthday is fast approaching, and as much as I wish it wouldn't, there's nothing I can do but embrace the fact that I'm getting older and go with it. It's not really getting older that bugs me, it's aging. Wrinkles, sagging skin, weight gain, aching joints...yeah, I guess not quite yet (turning 29) but I do have this weird fear of feeling and looking old. I don't tan, I don't smoke, I don't drink really, and I'm weird about skincare and haircare. I have a few wrinkles that thoroughly piss me off, and I'm doing all I can to avoid any more, and minimize the ones I have. We've all spent lots of money on products that don't deliver, and although I'm not skincare expert, I have friends who are, and I've been around long enough (but not too long) to know what works for my combination oily-acne-prone-now wrinkle prone skin. Sucks to be trying to prevent crows feet only to find a pimple a few millimeters away! Here are my favorites, tried and true, a few that are new, some expensive, some middle of the road, and some a decent buy!
Kate Somerville Products-Madeleine of La Papillon introduced me to the world of Kate Somerville and I'm glad she did. This stuff works. I love the Exfolikate. I have a hard time exfoliating my skin-stuff is either way too harsh, like rubbing rock salt against my skin, or not abrasive enough-like swiping liquid marshmallow all over. This is the perfect solution. And your skin looks, feels and IS so clean afterwards. I am also always on the hunt for a great under eye cream, and I feel like when it comes to under the eye, you really can't skimp. So the Kate Somerville Line Release is a splurge well worth it!

Cetaphil-I love this everyday cleanser. Been using it for 15 years and it's one of the only things that works to really clean my skin. I've tried the really expensive stuff, prescription cleansers and cheap knock offs. This is hands down my favorite. I love to buy it from Costco in the big pump. It lasts months. Even Allure Magazine agrees. You really can't go wrong with Cetaphil.
Oil of Olay Regenerist-This anti-aging cream is my go-to day moisturizer. I'm fussy about quality skincare, but I hate spending more than 5 minutes moisturizing and caring for it. It's expensive for drugstore beauty, but it's a really great moisturizer. I never feel greasy, my skin feels hydrated and resiliant-so I highly recommend indulging the next time you find yourself at your local drugstore to try this. It's awesome!
Strivectin. I admit, I rarely am swayed by online testemonials. Who hasn't tried ProActiv? But I don't usually fall for stuff. I did, however, buy some Strivectin at Costco and I must say, I'm glad I did. With religious use, this stuff actually works. It took about 2 months to start seeing results, but used on stretch marks and wrinkles, I can actually say it did diminish them. It didn't erase them, but I was happy with the results. So happy that I took it for granted and stopped using it everday and night. Now I'm back on the regine and using it to focus on my main wrinkles-forehead and above my nose and between my brows, my "Scowl Wrinkle". My only complaint is the weird peppermint smell. It's really strong, almost Old Lady Peppermint Candy. I guess the smell could be worse, but it's enough to smell like a Hospital on Halloween.
Johnson's Baby Lotions and Cleansers. I love the smell of just about all the Johnson's Baby Products. The original Lotion, the Baby Oil-and it feels smooth, clean and hydrates. Hell, if it's good enough for a baby, it's good enough for me! I use the Johnson's Baby Wash in the shower as my soap. I feel clean and I smell baby fresh. I sometimes use the Baby Oil Wash for extra moisture, and to top it off, I really like the Calming Bedtime Lotion. It smells fresh, it's practical and economic, and it keeps my skin moist without being oily. I get my supply from Target or the Grocery Store, and I've loved it for years!

That's basically my beauty arsenal, but I'm always open for suggestions, tips and tricks! I get to see Madeleine next week, so I can't wait to see what she has in store for me to try, so maybe I'll have a few new Summer Must Have's that help stave off my aging fears and allow me to embrace the age of 29, and prepare myself for turning 30!

Monday, March 30, 2009

Super Ultra Mega Awesome, FlashDance


What do you get when you combine 3 ridiculously talented SoCal Photographers and the coolest, most awesome DJ ever to create his musical wizardry on the wedding scene? You get The FlashDance and it's one of the coolest collaborations and wedding ensembles I've had the pleasure to be introduced to, quite possibly ever.


The Wedding Spinner Pt.1 (theflashdance.com) from Michael Antonia on Vimeo.

Just visiting the site made me smile. It's fun, it's energetic, it's youthful, it's hip, it's all things that are fresh and wonderful in modern weddings! Just watching Michael Antonia is awesome and listening to the way he spins is energizing and move inducing (try NOT to dance or bob your head to his mix with House of Pain) and so I can only imagine having him at your wedding would up the ridiculous factor by 10. He's talented, he's versatile, he's seamless, and you can have him at your wedding. And as if that weren't enough, Michael is good friends and wedding collaborator with the always awe-inspiring Max Wanger and Our Labor of Love's dynamic duo Jess and Whit. What more could you want?

If you are getting married on the West Coast, or want to fly this musical savant to your next gig, get on the horn and give him a ring. Do it. And do it now. You won't regret it.

Friday, March 27, 2009

Kick Ass Bags




More Etsy delightfuls...the screenprinting awesomeness of Dead Worry.

Thursday, March 26, 2009

Spare Change

So digging these pretty and modern clutches from UK based Red Ruby Rose on Etsy. Anyone who wants to buy me one for my birthday on April 4th, please, go right ahead!




Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Daydreaming

So, while I couldn't allow myself to afford most things on net-a-porter, I'm not an Olsen Twin, Gwyneth or someone who enjoys copious amounts of debt, but I can't help but sit and sigh when browsing the beautiful and colorful garments they showcase....I'm thinking these dresses would be great bridesmaid, cocktail, evening, wedding guest or the hottest date ever dress. I tend to work a lot, and most of the time, I'm sitting solo in my large home office in front of several Mac's with a cat on my lap, so I can't really figure out a away to justify even one of these (the prices range from $350 to the thousands ) but a girl can dream, can't she?










Tuesday, March 24, 2009

More Spring Dresses






I've still got Spring shopping on the brain, and I love these pretty dresses from all over the internet!

Monday, March 23, 2009

Minted Winner


I can't believe it-I got an email announcing the winners from the most recent Minted Challenge had been announced and my Modern Lotus design WON FIRST PLACE! See the design that inspired the Pearl suite and support Minted and all the amazing designers! Thanks to everyone who voted and had such kind words!

Blue Monday

Nothing sad about these beautiful blue dresses! Enjoy!





Nothing sad about these beautiful blue dresses! Enjoy!

David Meister, Catherine Malandrino, Singer22, Urban Outfitters, J.Crew, Amsale

Thursday, March 19, 2009

In the Trenches, part 2

Continuing with thoughts of adorable rainwear...umbrellas and my all time favorite rain boot-wellies! The pretty blue, modern circles and the vintage floral umbrella are both from totes!



Enjoying the Orange in these Hunter Wellies and the classic Burberry Umbrella. What do you think of these and the flirty black trench by Mackage?

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

In the Trenches

With Spring in the air and the rainy-thunderstorm season coming towards us (I love all things spring, thunderstorms are my favorite, although not when I have a wedding to shoot!). I'm on the hunt for a great new trench. I tend to stick with classics, since I consider it an investment, but I'm really jonesing for some bold colorful raingear to brighten up those wet days..I've got my pink and black pinstripe Thomas Pink Wellies, and I have a vintage Lauren Raincoat, all very lovely, but I want something more! Here are some of the things I'm thinking would make me quite the dapper gal splashing through puddles and maybe, if you're lucky, singing in the rain!

Bright and colorful perhaps?

Or tried and true...although the black one has a great swinging skirt which is pretty sweet..

Marc Jacobs, Pringle 1815, Juicy Couture, Chloe, Ralph Lauren, Paul & Joe, Mackage