Bare Face, Bold Lip

I've always loved the look of bright lips with a bare face, but in past iterations, I may have taken the term "bare" a bit too literally. I thought that it meant not a stitch of makeup besides a heavy-handed swipe of aforementioned lipstick. Let's be honest, no one wants to see the redness around my nose or blemishes on my chin. After looking at some pictures of celebs who are famous for the look (namely Alexa andSienna), I realized that though their skin looks clean and dewy, it's far from being makeup-free. With that said, here are the steps I take in order to achieve that "bare skin" bright lip look.

1. Apply foundation over red spots to even out skin tone.

2. Then addbronzer to cheekbones, eyelids, hairline and to the sides of the nose.

3. Dot liquid liner between lashes to make them look fuller. Use mascara only on the tips of the lashes. 

5. Fill in brows with brow powder (it looks more natural than pencil) and brush the hairs upward.

 Finish with an illuminator on the tops of cheekbones and down the bridge of the nose. Apply lipstick as you normally would.  

Pro Tips: Photographer Max Wanger

I"m excited to announce a new series called "Pro Tips." I am always inspired by people who are great at what they do. This series will entail talented professionals insight on how they've honed their skills. For instance, a good photographer demands a whole lot of know-how behind the lens. 

We're kicking things off with Max Wanger. Born and raised by reformed hippies in Southern California, Max got an early start by building his first camera out of paper and scotch tape when he was just seven years old. With many years of experience under his belt (and juggernaut clients like Target, Martha Stewart, Nordstrom and Banana Republic) So here are 5 things he relies on for a perfect snap. Read on to find out what they are...some might surprise you.

1. Notebook/Journal - I carry this with me everywhere. It's where I jot down notes and ideas, draw out storyboards, paste inspiration. It's extremely helpful for all my shoots because I always have a reference for what I'm doing and I'm able to constantly refer back to it.

2. Gels - These are sample gels that you can get at any camera store. I use these on shoots if I want to add a little color in camera. Photography is about experimenting and playing and this allows you to do that. Just throw a gel in front of the lens and let the fun begin! 

3. Family - This may be cliché or cheesy, but for me it's absolutely what/who I rely on everyday to want to be the best I can be. My wife, Margaux, and our little boy, Dash keep me on my toes and are a constant source of inspiration.

4. Polaroid SX-70 - I love taking polaroids and this camera is a great reminder to slow down and think each shot and composition through. You only have 10 frames and you want to make each one count. 

5. Rodney Smith - One of my biggest inspirations. His photography is simple, classic and beautiful and I am constantly in awe of his detailed and perfect compositions. This is one of his books called "The Hat Book."

How the 5 Love Languages Changed My Life

Have you heard of the 5 Love Languages?  I had always assumed there was one universal way to show love, but according to this theory, I'm mistaken. They're as follows: Words of Affirmation, Acts of Service, Receiving Gifts, Quality Time, and Physical Touch, and every person feels uniquely loved in one of these ways. According to the concept, the way you feel loved is also the way you show love. 

For instance, my love language is Words of Affirmation, which I find a little ironic since I also strongly agree the notion that, "actions speak louder than words." A positive verbal gesture goes a long way for me and it aligns with the way I show appreciation for other people. An "I love you" or "job well done" makes me feel acknowledged for things I'm doing right and I like to do the same in return.

The rub lies in the fact that my significant other's love language is Acts of Service, which means my verbal affirmations don't have the same impact on him. Realizing this has helped me become a better partner. It was perspective-changing to learn that doing a task meant more to him than a sentimental love note, and though it may not come naturally, it's something we both work on. Interestingly enough, these languages aren't solely for romantic relationships but translate to friendships and parent/child relationships, too.

I'm curious to know what your love language is (take the test here), and how you've reconciled having a different language from your loved 

Links I Love

1. The best of summertime rosé. (100layercake.com)

2. Things you should know - even if your boss won't tell you. (refinery29.com)

3. The prettiest DIY gold marbled pencil cup. (lovelyindeed.com)

4. LAX hacks I can't wait to utilize. (thrillist.com)

5. Behind the scenes of a personal food photography shoot. (mattbites.com)

6. Floral designers you need to be following on Instagram. (marthastewartweddings.com)

7. 10 vacation-worthy hotels. (designsponge.com)

8. 13 surprising ways your name affects your success. (bussinessinsider.com)

9. The most adorable cookies. (boredpanda.com)

Five Things

{Overgrown wild flower garden}

The past couple of weeks have been a wild ride, made even better by the last remaining bits of seasonal color that I've been noticing all around me. Granted, the warm months aren't over just yet, but these little bright reminders are a great way to enjoy the last of summer's weekends. I hope you have a great one. 

{Homemade croutons make every salad better}

{Iconic wallpaper print at the Beverly Hills Hotel}

{The best to-go Chia Pudding from GTA} 

{Stunning sky line}

Askthe Experts: Tappan Collective

The The first art that I bought myself was at a flea market. It was four portrait paintings of the Beatles and at $80, it was one of the biggest purchases I'd ever made. Buying art is one of those milestones that ushers you into adulthood, but finding pieces that don't blow your budget can be difficult. 

To that end,  Chelsea Neman and Jordan Klein, Los Angeles natives and graduates of University of Michigan’s art program (fine art and art history, respectively) who noticed a lack of attention to young artists. They knew plenty of extraordinarily talented people who struggled to exhibit and sell their work. Pair that with a gap in the market for affordable art, and the proverbial light bulb went off. Neman and Klein created Tappan Collective, named after the U of M’s Tappan Fine Arts Library, where they spent many a night fostering both their love for art and their friendship. Their business focuses on curating beautiful art at approachable prices. The creative duo to chose the pieces they love, no matter what your home’s aesthetic.

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“To achieve an ultra modern look, keep the colors and forms minimal. Although muted, modernism should never feel empty. Keep a close eye on the details because that’s where the elegance lies. Their delicate details become the objective of the piece…showing just how fierce simplicity can be.”

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“Because traditional homes rely on saturated palettes for rugs and furniture, we picked pieces to mirror the intensity in both color and subject. Abstract and figurative paintings add dimension and drama to just about any space."

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“This style is distinctively Californian, even though the aesthetic is far away from the beach. We chose pieces that reflect the earth tones seen in desert rocks, roads, and plants. The light palette, would look great alongside succulents and on while walls.”

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“These pieces reflect the the bohemian set who surround themselves by beauty, and live at ease. This style can be interpreted a number of ways, we call it “eclectic”. Influenced by many things along the way, but essentially carries with it, the ease with oneself. Notice the softer moments, colors, and the arrangement of objects in these photographs and prints. Although uniquely their own, each piece ultimately works with each other just as well."

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"California beach culture practically invented the word “vibe”. This selection of works highlights the colorful and playful touches that beach towns have down pat. Hang these up and it’ll be like it’s summer all year round.”

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“Loft-living usually mean dark flooring, exposed ceilings, and big windows with city views. The edgy and masculine pieces we chose can modernize a refurbished warehouse. Large formatted artwork can make a stark living space look polished and cool.”

Links I Love

1. If you weren't craving gazpacho before, you will after reading this. (nytimes.com)

2. Beautiful piece on growing old with yourself. (theeverygirl.com)

3. What the sun is actually doing to your skin. (time.com)

4. Visual hair guide to different sized curling irons. (beautybets.com)

5. DIY project for a chic, modern cooler. (almostmakesperfect.com)

6. The unexpected key to happiness. (npr.org)

7. How to make a rainbow petal cake. (thecakeblog.com)

8. 10 things you learn in a good relationship. (themindunleashed.org)

9. The worst things you can do when eating out. (bonappetit.com)

The Videos That Make Me Cry

It’s no secret that I’m a crier. I’m both an empathetic crier and a sympathetic one, meaning if someone else is getting emotional, chances are, I’m tearing up right alongside them. But it wasn't until recently when I saw a commercial that made me cry (this one) that I realized that I have a very specific set of triggers that pretty much guarantee that I'm going to be a mess in a matter of seconds. Here are the top three things that make me cry, in no particular order:

1. Military men/women seeing loved ones for the first time. A dad coming home from Afghanistan to surprise his daughters at their school assembly? This one makes me weep.

2. Animals overcoming struggles or experiencing pure happiness. I have a loooong list of videos for this one, but none are as classic as Christian the Lion.

3. Sweet sports stories. A special needs team manager makes four three-point baskets in under two minutes. This gives me goosebumps all over my body. 

Sometimes you just need a good (happy) cry, and these quick videos do the trick in less than a few minutes (and if you're looking for a movie recommendation, this is my go-to). 

I'd love to know - do you have any videos that can make you cry?

Links I Love

1. I can't wait to try these freezer organization tips. (thekitchn.com)

2. What are your summer movie guilty pleasures? Mine is Dirty Dancing. (vogue.com)

3. Blueberry swirl muffins that I'm making for my next brunch. (honestlyyum.com)

4. Fruit hacks that will change your life - the avocado tip is so helpful. (buzzfeed.com)

5. These rules for New Yorkers visiting LA are hilarious. (hommemaker.com)

6. A 2-minute low braided bun. (she.steals.com)

7. Street art interacting with nature. (boredpanda.com)

8. The iced coffee maker. (food52.com)

9. A blog with a simple concept: things that fit perfectly into other things. (thingsfittingperfectlyintothings.tumblr)