1. Clarins Double Fix // 2. Tarte Amazonian Clay in Tipsy // 3. Stila Smudge Stick Eye Liner // 4. Lancome Undereye Concealer // 5. Make Up For Ever Aqua Shadow (28E) // 6. mark. Gloss Gorgeous

You may recall that I use my Clarins Double Fix every day, and it's perfect for using the summer too since it won't allow the mascara you're already devoted to to smudge under your eyes whether you're just hot, or swimming, or frolicking in the sea. 

I haven't personally tried out Tarte's Amazonian Clay, but I love this color, and I've read awesome reviews on the staying power this blush has! 

I probably own about 4 of the Stila Smudge Sticks, and this one (in Moray) is a favorite color of mine - goldish green and different from regular eyeliner colors! Plus, contrary to its name, this eyeliner does NOT smudge.

If you've read my beauty essentials post, you know I use a Make Up For Ever concealer every day, but when I was researching melt-proof summer makeup, this Lancome concealer was recommended by both Self and Cosmo, and who am I to say it isn't good? Cosmo even claims that you can swim with this! I may have to try this one out myself...

While wandering around Sephora passing time last week, I nearly bought this Make Up For Ever Aqua Shadow - I love how shimmery the colors are and how it's supposed to budge-proof. Pair it with a primer, and you've got a can't-lose eyecolor! (In case you're wondering, the only reason I didn't buy it is because I decided I simply have way too many eyeshadows to justify another one. Sadly!)

My absolute favorite mark. beauty product is Gloss Gorgeous - and it's one of Ashley Greene's favorites! This lip gloss is minty and goes on glossy, and eventually wears off to a stain - genius! My favorite color is Pop.

Do you have any summer makeup must-haves? 

I rarely switch out my pearl studs, and even more rarely feel the urge to, but these earrings are making me reconsider! I think my favorite pair out of these is the drop dead gorgeous emerald pair (number 5) - they make me think of Keira Knightley's gown in Atonement - only in jewelry form! 

I will have you know though, that aside from the emerald pair, all of these are under $35! And the Bow Knocker Cameo one is under ten. Dollars. For those of you looking for a bargain, I think this is a great one!!

Would you rock statement earrings? 

What'd you do this weekend?

I haven't posted about food in a while, but I came across these diet-friendly, homemade pizza recipes that look DELICIOUS - and are all under 400 calories. Who can resist? My favorites are (warning: your mouth may actually water when looking at these photos...):

  Basil and Tomato Pizza

Image by Quentin Bacon via

A classic Cheese Pizza! (Now is when I start drooling...)

Image by Randy Mayor via

356 calories, mozzarella and parmesan

Which one's got you drooling? Click on the links for the full recipes!

Michael Kors // mark.

I love big, oversized gold watches for the summer! Sadly, I just don't feel justified spending $250 on one when my mother gave me a lovely silver Hermes watch for my 21st birthday, so luckily there's the less expensive mark. version! If you look, there's hardly any difference - I only know that those mini dial things (what are they called? - and can you believe I used to write the watches section in a magazine? haha) are purely for decoration purposes only on the mark version, but I don't know about the Michael Kors!

I have the mark. one and after having 2 links removed, it fits me perfectly. It's got a nice weight and feel to it, and I love the rhinestone detailing! When I was at a Michael Kors store about a month ago, the sales associate literally thought my watch was MK! 

I can think of many other things I'd rather buy with the $190 I saved - a couple dresses, some shoes...put it in my piggy bank to save for vacation...

Which would you choose? 

How gorgeous are these iPhone cases? They're all from Society 6 (and available for 3G/3GS, and 4/4S models) which from what I can tell is a place where artists can sell their work as prints, on canvas, clothes, or iPhone cases, and stationery - all of the cases above are also available as prints, which is a nice option to have!

I particularly love the giraffe and the surf print, and they'd both look great on my white iPhone...;) If only I could justify having one for each day of the week! 

Images

One thing I am never without is a drugstore hair tie around my left wrist. I hate how it looks there, resting among my bracelets and watch, but I hate even more when it's not there and I have to dig around in my purse or pocket with one hand holding my hair. (When this happens, I've normally already pulled my hair back and forgotten that my hair tie isn't on my wrist!) Plus, my mother dislikes the way it looks too, but up until now I haven't had a better solution - I'd rather have something be convenient and not look as good than to be annoyed later!

No more!

I came across Mane Message when I googled "hair ties", in search of a more stylish solution, and they were exactly what I was looking for! These hair ties are made to double as a bracelet, and come in what looks like a million different colors (either solid or tie-dyed). On top of that, they claim to not leave dents in your hair! 

My only problem now? Choosing which colors to get!

Shop here

I don't normally post editorials, but:

1. Did YOU know that Net-a-Porter had a magazine? I didn't. (Maybe it's only new news to me? haha);
2. I'll always remain a California girl at heart, and I especially love photos of the Golden State;
3. I love the casual, relaxed vibe of the outfits; and
4. I love the dusty, adventurous, road-trip feel of this editorial, as one thing I'd really like to do some day is spend a week or two driving down (or up) the California coast;

Now I just wish I were heading to California this summer!

All images via Net-a-porter; See the full spread here

Gucci // Boutique 9

I fell in love with these Gucci pumps when I saw them on Net-a-porter last week, and instantly added them to my wishlist. They're perfect for work - the heel is only 3.5" (as opposed to 4"), and I love the d'orsay cut and the pointy toe, not to mention the shiny patent leather! Then today, while browsing Bloomingdale's sale, I found pretty much the exact same pair, for over $400 less than the Gucci pair!

If you're going to be picky about it, it looks like the main differences are the stitching (the Gucci pair doesn't appear to have any), and the heel - the Gucci heel is all black, whereas the Boutique 9 pair have a beige strip facing the sole of the shoe.

However, those details alone aren't worth $400 to me!

Which would you pick?

(The Boutique 9 pair also come in nude.)

To be completely honest, I didn't know a whole lot about Trina Turk before I researched this post - mostly I just had a vague idea that her designs had a lot of colorful patterns. After reading about her on her homepage, I've fallen in love with her bright, playful line, and also her design aesthetic. 

I think this paragraph from her website sums it up:

Trina Turk is both inspired by and represents the lifestyle of California: optimistic, progressive, accessible, effortless, colorful, and confident. Her ready-to-wear, accessory, and home collections are influenced by her love of vintage apparel, jewelry, and accessories from the '60s and '70s, modernist and graphic arts, and mid-century modern architecture. Turk is widely known for her use of dynamic colors and signature prints, from bright florals to bold graphics to vintage inspired jacquards. 

Needless to say, I'm now a fan! I love that the collection for BR came out just in time for pool parties, hitting the beach, and hot summer days. My two favorites are the tunic dress - I envision wearing it to the pool or beach, and then throwing it on after and jazzing it up with accessories for a night out; and the enamel bangle - I love the colors, and that it's got a hinge (I have tiny wrists so most bangles are too big for me). I also think that cowl neck dress would be nice for work with a white blazer thrown over it - fun and summery, but modest enough for the office.

Check out the whole collection here; and her website here

Images via BR

Happy Food Friday! :)

I love Self magazine - I've subscribed for years, and even though admittedly I don't always exercise or eat the right thing, I appreciate that I have the means to if I really wanted to! haha Anyway, last week I actually cooked for the first time in a LONG time! I've had my eye on their healthy pasta recipes for months, and I chose the farfalle one to make first, and, bonus - it has only 350 calories per bowl!

I didn't put scallions or parsley in it since I don't like either (although I do like scallion pancakes...), but other than that I did exactly as the recipe states. One thing I learned is...next time I need to use a bigger pan!! It's delicious though, and I made the whole recipe so that I could bring it to work for lunch and have ready-made-food for dinner. 

The recipe:
(Serves 4)

Ingredients:
1/2lb whole-wheat farfalle
1 tbsp olive oil
2 anchovies, chopped
1 tbsp chopped fresh rosemary
10oz (about 2 cups) sliced baby portobello mushrooms
6 scallions, chopped (skipped this)
1/2 cup dry white wine (I used a pinot grigio)
1 can (5oz) chunk light tuna in oil, drained
2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (I also skipped this!)

Preparation: (Numbers correspond to the photos, above)
Cook pasta as directed on package, drain and set aside.

1. In a large saute pan, heat oil over medium-high heat. Cook anchovies with rosemary, stirring, until anchovies dissolve, 2 minutes.
2. Add mushrooms and scallions; cook, stirring frequently, until mushrooms brown, 4-5 minutes.
3. Stir in wine; cook until liquid is syrupy, 1-2 minutes.
4. Stir in and break up tuna, 1 minute.
5. Add pasta and stir to combine; cook until just heated through, 1-2 minutes.
6. Stir in parsley; serve immediately. (I skipped the parsley and added in some shaved parmesan cheese - would have used grated, but I didn't have any on hand.)

The Skinny:
350 calories per bowl, 8g fat (1g saturated), 48g carbs, 6g fiber, 21g protein

Denim jackets are a staple in many closets - I know I love mine! It's completely versatile and the perfect spring/fall transition jacket, as it's light enough that it isn't suffocating in slightly warmer temps, but also thicker than a sweater. Plus, you can dress it up or dress it down, a la the bloggers below!
Top: 1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // Bottom: 1 // 2 // 3

I got my denim jacket at Zara about two months ago (replacing an old one), but couldn't find it online. Below are a few other choices, and pieces to recreate your fave looks from above!

Image

If only we all looked that graceful in the rain!

I don't actually mind the rain too much, as long as I'm properly attired. I absolutely love it when I have no where to go and can stay in drinking something hot and watching my favorite movies or a Friday Night Lights marathon with my sister. 

When I don't like it so much is when I have to go to work, and cram into a subway with everyone else's wet clothes and umbrellas - yuck! One of the things that I dislike most is having my feet shoved into rainboots all day - especially when it doesn't rain - so that prompted me to hunt for other footwear for days where it isn't pouring, and that, combined with the (cold and) rainy weather we had yesterday in NYC, is what prompted this post!

Left // Right

A lot of times I really wish I already had my own "grown up" apartment already so I could decorate it properly. I bought one print about 2 years ago and to this day it's still sitting in the original cardboard it was mailed in, since I envision it as part of a wall collage rather than on its own, and never got it framed. 

Anyway, my point is that Kari Herer's photography has got me wanting to purchase more (that would probably - sadly - end up still in the original packaging until I get my act together and start getting things framed!), and my absolute favorite is the rabbit at the bottom. I have a thing for rabbits and mermaids. (Don't ask.) I can imagine this one hanging in an entryway or a foyer or a hallway to a main room - somewhere I'd pass it all the time and smile. Because that's what I do when I see rabbits! 

For more of her work, click here