Friday 30 January 2015

Five Things



{Memorizing the lyrics for our baby nephew's lullaby}

I've been feeling pretty exhausted for the past few weeks, but found a new surge of energy these last couple of days. There were late-night laundry sessions, I cleaned out nearly every drawer in the house and my closet is so organized that it looks like a department store. It's safe to say that I was in serious nesting mode, but am looking forward to a weekend of doing very little, besides watching Super Bowl commercials and eating lots of indulgent food. Have a wonderful weekend!


{An amazing shrimp po'boy}

{Bustling floor at Balthazar}


{Morning light and dew}


{The best snack at the end of a long day}

Thursday 29 January 2015

My Random Fix-It Beauty Tools

Anytime I walk through a makeup department, I feel like there are dozens of new products out there to fix everything from wrinkles and cellulite to uneven skin. They seem to get more complicated by the day and leave me feeling overwhelmed and confused. In the interest of pairing down my beauty cabinet, I avoid gimmicky products and rely instead on a few simple tools. Here are threeof my favourites that help me fix wayward eyeliner, shadows smudges, and a messy polish.

1. Pointy Q-tips. These may seem like the more dangerous cousin of the quintessential cotton swab, but I swear by their precision. If I'm applying liquid liner, I'll use these dipped in eye makeup remover to achieve a super sharp cat-eye instead of relying on a steady hand or busting out the scotch tape. I also use them when I'm applying a bright lipstick and go outside.

2. Nail Polish Remover Pen. I'm convinced I was a manicurist in a past life because most of the time, I do a pretty comparable job to the results I get in a salon. But I'll still mess up occasionally and instead of pulling out my bottle of nail polish remover and cotton pads, this pen does the job in one fell swoop. The slanted tip is soaked in remover, so it makes it really easy to clean up even the most hard-to-reach mistakes and helps me get a professional looking manicure at home.

3. Clean Blending Brush. I always keep a clean blending brush on hand to wipe away excess eye shadow. Using a tissue can take off too much makeup at a time. Another great use for the brush is when mascara gets on my under eye. I use the blending brush to smudge the mascara into the lash for a smoky effect.

Links I Love

1. Are you addicted to the internet? I'm borderline addicted with a score of 18. (psychcentral.com)

2. Inspiration to give your bathroom a hardware update. (huntedinterior.com)
4. The cutest DIY confetti sticks. (bestfriendsforfrosting.com)
5. A round-up of the best chicken wings. (bonappetit.com)
6. How to up your nap game. (io9.com)
7. Superbowl party tips from a pro. (bonappetit.com)
8. I love the idea of this 30-day minimalist challenge. (into-mind.com)
9. The most cozy-looking sweatpants for weekend lounging. 

Wednesday 28 January 2015

Super Bowl Tater Tots

I came to the recent realization that the potato is the perfect food. Regardless of how it's prepared - baked with amazing toppings, layered in a galette, or boiled and topped with caviar, it's pretty unrivaled in its versatility. However, it really shines when fried to a golden brown and seasoned with a touch of salt. These potato tots are incredibly easy to make and when served with a spicy dipping sauce (a combination of mayonnaise, chipotle peppers and lemon juice), they'll make for a great snack for the Super Bowl. Extra points if you store them in your cargo pants pockets.




Tuesday 27 January 2015

A French Girl's Trick To Getting Dressed

Last year, I wore an outfit consisting of a mini dress and high heels. It's my go-to combination in an effort to create the illusion that my legs are much longer than they actually are (I have a disproportionately long torso). A French girl made a comment about her rule of thumb when wearing a skirt or dress that I thought was genius. Lamimine said: "Lovely dress! I feel like it would be prettier with flats though. I usually go with flats when skirt is above the knee, and heels with longer length. French rule :-)."

Though I usually follow a different equation (the looser the item, the higher the heel), I'm compelled to give the French route a go more frequently. What rule, if any, do you follow when getting dressed in the morning?

Workout Wear

 I've been doing very little in the way of exercise for the past few months. I could play the busy card, but I’d be kidding myself if that was the only excuse. Aside from my regular morning walk, I've been kind of sedentary and after hoofing it up the stairs at my friend's house and needing a legitimate breather, I realized how ready I am to get back in shape. Over the years, quite a few readers have asked what I did in terms of working out and the truth is, aside from playing a lot of sports growing up; I've never been that dedicated to a consistent exercise schedule. That's changing and I'l be starting a new series to document the process. In the meantime, I'm focusing on the less challenging part: finding great attire (I've had my eyes on these). Here's a roundup of exercise gear that’s cute enough to serve as motivation.

spandex top ($24.99-39.99)
tote bag ($20.99)
water bottle ($36)

Monday 26 January 2015

Girls With Awesome Hair: Lauren Conrad

 
 
2. Elchim 2001 Hair Dryer - I've used hair dryer for years! My hair is pretty thick and this one dries my hair the fastest. It has a lot of power, gets the job done quickly, and makes it look smooth and sleek. Long story short: I wish I had bought it sooner.
 
3. Laight and Mercer Brush - This brand makes a detangling brush for wet hair and a brush for dry hair. The wet hair brush goes so smoothly through my hair even if it's tangled and doesn't feel like it's pulling or snapping my strands. The dry hair brush re-distributes oils and works best on those days when I'm in between shampoos and using a dry shampoo. It makes my hair feel soft and clean so I can fake it 'til I make it.
 
4. Bando Rose Gold Model Bobbie - I love my short hair and have had so much fun cutting it (again...and again). But I can't do a ton of styles with it. While I'm learning to style my shorter 'do, I like throwing in a few pretty pins to hold the choppier pieces in place. Rose gold has always been my favorite metallic hue, so these Bando pins are right up my alley.
 
5. GHD Classic 1-Inch Styler - This tool is great for a sleeker, chicer look. On those days when I'm not quite feeling messy waves and want to do my hair straight, this flat iron is great. It also helps to smooth fly aways right after a blow out.
  
Lauren, what are three Pros and three Cons of having short hair? 
 
Pros:
1.) It's fun to try a new look.
2.) It dries much faster than long hair.
3.) It takes less time to style.
 
Cons:
1.) My go-to topknot is no longer an option.
2.) Braids are more difficult.
3.) Styling requires more product.

Etsy Art

When it comes to art, I'm admittedly not very opinionated. I know many people that have taken plenty of art history/appreciation courses in school, but I never developed much of an aesthetic or specific interest in any particular style. Instead, I find the whole thing to be quite intimidating, which is why most of the walls in our place have remained blank over the years. For a long time, I thought in order to find quality pieces, my only option was to walk into a fancy art gallery. But I've since learned that it's just about doing some research to uncover the hidden gems. Etsy's a great resource, but it can be an overwhelming vortex, so I've rounded up eleven of my favorite prints that I could easily envision on my walls.

Coming next week - Etsy Home Accessories

10. Skull Print, $35

Thursday 22 January 2015

Superba Grain Bowl Recipe



INGREDIENTS
6 ounces cooked grains, equal parts rye berries, quinoa, bulgar wheat
1 cup shredded collard greens
1 tbl shredded coconut
1 tsp candied orange rind (a good substitute is grated orange zest)
2 tbl pickled carrot (shaved raw will work too, you will just have to add more vinaigrette to the mix)
2 tbl pickled radish (same as above)
2 oz red wine vinegar (3 parts grapeseed oil, 1 part red wine vinegar)
1 poached egg
4 tbl crushed toasted cashews

1. Take collard greens and season with salt and pepper to taste.
2. Toss collard greens with the pickled vegetables, coconut, and orange rind. Then add the vinaigrette
3. Let slaw sit for 30 minutes so all the flavors marry together. The slaw will last all day in the fridge.
4. Warm the grains until slightly warmer than room temperature. Place the slaw on top.
5. Add toasted cashews on top of the grains, then add the poached egg.
6. You're ready to eat! Add more of your favorite toppings like avocado, chicken, fish or anything else that sounds good to you.

Links I Love

1. Six country hits that sound almost identical. (npr.org)

3. Love the idea of a DIY travel journal for trips you want to remember. (apairandasparediy.com)
4. The best apps for outsourcing your life. (joannagoddard.blogspot.com)
5. Copycat recipe of my favorite cookies in New York City. (bromabakery.com)
6. 2015 beauty trends. (refinery29.com)
7. Seven surprising things that will help you stop worrying. (fastcompany.com)
8. Illustrated facts about San Francisco. (thebolditalic.com)

Wednesday 21 January 2015

Unexpected Hostess Gift


A while back, I hosted a big group of friends for a dinner party. Every guest text me beforehand to ask what he or she could bring, to which I replied "nothing." And I truly meant it. We were set on everything - wine, cheese, flowers, and more wine. And while nobody came empty-handed, one friend showed up with the perfect gift: breakfast for the next morning. It was such a thoughtful gesture and after a long night of entertaining and the inevitable dishes that piled in the sink, I loved that I still had something to look forward to. And sure enough, the next day I padded into the kitchen, my head heavy from the night before, and enjoyed two pieces of toast with jelly (Pomegranate Blood Orange, no less). Since I also refuse to show up empty-handed, the next time a hostess insists that I shouldn't bring anything, I'm bringing breakfast.

My Favourite Inexpensive Hostess Gift

I'd love to know - What are your go-to hostess gifts?

Tuesday 20 January 2015

Etsy Jewels

Etsy is one of my favorite places to shop, but unless you have a specific thing you're looking for, you can get sucked in to a search vortex for things you didn't know you needed (hi, embroidered rap lyrics in a frame). I decided to curate some of my favorite jewelry from the site. Everything is dainty and sweet, reasonably priced and I love that it all supports small businesses. Here are nine pieces I'd love to wear.

Coming next week - Etsy art

7. Initial Necklace, $25.99

Monday 19 January 2015

The Balancing Act

I'd like to say that three years later, things have really changed. That my reliance on my phone isn't as intense and that I'm comfortable shutting off and sitting quietly with my own thoughts. We've implemented rules for our bedroom that I consistently break, like checking my email seconds after waking up each morning. I'll slide under the covers, hoping to conspicuously shield his eyes from the screen glare, which never actually works. The truth is, I'm far too dependent on my phone.
I do have a small glimmer of hope in regards to this upcoming scenario: that it'll change the way that I approach my life. Instead of my typical frenzied attempt at excessive multitasking, perhaps having just one thing to focus on will be good for me. I know that I can't expect to find a perfect balance in my life, but I look forward to this next stage and being reminded of the things that matter most, all of which are happening in front of me, far removed from any technological device.

Friday 16 January 2015

Five Things




Some of the best advice I received in terms of my mood the last week was to stay as active as possible. With that in mind, I'm making a concerted effort to maintain a full social calendar, dinners with both my boyfriend and some girlfriends, going to the movies, taking more walks and generally fighting my normal inclination to nest. I know my schedule will be changing a bit in the coming weeks, so I'm taking advantage of these waning days of lower responsibility. I hope you all have a great weekend!


{I was never an earring kind of girl until I discovered these}




{The most adorable panda donut}


{Afternoon ombré (decaf) espresso shot}

How To Leave The Hairdresser Happy

1. Bring pictures. This might seem obvious, but the best way to communicate what you want to your hairdresser is through photographs. I used to think my descriptions were sufficient until I accidentally mixed up the shade of brown I was going for. I asked for chestnut-colored highlights, even though what I really wanted was a richer, darker shade (closer to chocolate). Needless to say, I walked out with chestnut-colored hair because of my mistake. Now I constantly save photos to my phone of girls with hair color I like. Sometimes it's doable and other times my hairdresser will dissuade me for one reason or another (more on that later), but at least I make sure to go in each time with some visual inspiration.
2. Listen to your hairdresser. When you find a hairdresser you trust, it's important to listen to him or her as to what makes the most sense for your hair. A few years back, when everyone was sporting a side swept bang, I had already begun to embrace my new style before I sat down in her chair. After looking at my natural hair (frizzy with a side of unpredictable wave) and my face shape (small forehead), my stylist encouraged me to reconsider. Of course I was crushed, but after a handful of my friends opted for the cut and immediately regretted it, I was happy that I had listened. The same goes for color: even though there are times when I've wanted to do something drastic (like platinum), after hearing more about the upkeep and the potential damage to my hair, I knew it wasn't the right decision for me.
3. Make sure you leave satisfied. On more than one occasion, I left the salon feeling less than satisfied. Yes, it's awkward to tell your stylist that you're not happy with the results, but it's better than saying nothing at all. You've paid good money, spent a chunk of time in the chair and your stylist wants you to be happy so that you remain a consistent client. Before you say anything, try to pinpoint exactly what it is that you don't love so that you properly describe the issue: check your hair color in different lights, pull it back into a ponytail (I once forgot to do this and while the top of my hair was highlighted to perfection, the underneath sections didn't lift properly) and look at it from all different angles. Then in a tactful way, either that day or within three, describe what you don't like so that you can work with your stylist to fix the problem.

4. Be prepared. A day at the salon is an investment, in more ways than one and a little preparation makes a big difference. The first thing is to have cash on hand so that you can tip your stylist and anyone else who helps (don't forget the person who washes and/or blow dries your hair). Bring snacks, since there's nothing worse than feeling like you're stuck ravenous somewhere without anything to eat. I usually toss a granola bar and some nuts into my bag. Finally, while this tip is quite vain, it will make your experience much more enjoyable: make sure you look polished when you arrive. You're going to be sitting in front of a mirror for a good amount of time, with foils in your hair, harsh lighting and a less than flattering smock, so a swipe of lipstick goes a long way. Plus, once you leave, you're going to want the rest of your ensemble to match your fantastic new hair.