Tis the Season for Dinner Parties

I'm back from the nonsense eating holidays. here's a recap of what i wore.


Dinner Party at a Friend's House:

Aqua Studded Boyfriend Blazer, Jewel Graphic Racerback Tank, Black Cigarette Jeans.

Christmas Eve


Vintage Fox Fur Walking Coat, Pink Pashmina, Jeweled Tee, Black Pencil Skirt, Charcoal Tights, Oxford Heels

Christmas Day

I have no photos of my outfit, but look how cute my little cousin is in his sweater and oxford! He's only 2 and he's already more stylish than most boys my age!

Day After Christmas Lunch With High School Friends


Destroyed Studded Burn Out Tee, Cigarette Jeans, Turquoise Pashmina

Dinner Party at My House with Parents' Friends

Aqua Boyfriend Blazer & CAT SHIRT (look at it majestically gleaming) !



So now, the holiday craziness is over and I am heading out to New York for New Year's Eve. DEFINITELY an occasion for me to blog and post photos of my outfit (I'm wearing a wild French Connection dress, and I bought new shoes to go with it). Sorry I've been absent, but obviously, I've been busy, having a time, visiting and cooking! Thanks for sticking around! Hope everyone had a safe and wonderful holiday, no matter what they celebrate.

In My Kit - Makeup Essentials

Wow, my blog has been neglected for the past week and I apologize. I wish I had something to say about the week that I wasn't around, but all I've really done is shop and hang out with my grandparents. Now, onto the post. I just wanted to apologize to the 5 people left reading this.

On other corners of the internet and daily, I always get asked questions about what makeup I wear, and how I do my makeup. Honestly, I'm pretty sure my "technique" is made up, but I can (with confidence) tell you about the products that I use. I believe there are 5 items every girl needs in their kit. The rest is just filler and "festivity".

#1 - Concealer

What: Lancome Maquicomplet Concealer/Cover Up.
How: Apply to areas of imperfection and blend to achieve even skintone
Why: Lightweight, Full Coverage, Non-drying
Honorable Mention: Lancome Effacernes (technically an "under-eye concealer")

#2 - Foundation

What: Make Up Forever HD Foundation
How: Apply with the brush of your choice (I use the Sephora Airbrush Brush) and blend!
Why: Lighweight, Easy to Blend, Liquid, Consistency
Honorable Mention: Diorshow Airflash (but who wants to spend $60 on foundation!)

#3 - Powder

What: Make Up Forever HD Powder
How: Shake it out, brush it on, look at that finish!
Why: it's a translucent powder so it just kind of meshes with the color of your skin. yeahhhh!

#4 - Blush

What: NARS Super Orgasm blush
How: brush it on and shimmer
Why: gives you that nice glow and has sparkles. everyone loves sparkles (for the non sparkly among us, try regular Orgasm blush)!

#5 - Mascara

What: Diorshow Blackout Mascara
Why: IT IS MY ONE TRUE LOVE
Honorable Mentions:Benefit BadGal Lash, Smashbox Lash DNA, Givenchy Phenomeneyes


I also can't stress this enough, makeup takes time and practice! Here's a secret for all of you that don't believe that this stuff doesn't come over night: I recently cried in Sephora with one of my makeup artists because I couldn't do a smokey eye, now, about 9 months later -- I can do it (but only because I spent many a night in my mirror experimenting with colors and techniques and watching youtube ladies giving me the game)!

Air Travel - Dress for Your Flight

Yesterday, as I was in the airport, I was thinking about how I needed to update my blog. I kept thinking about what I would talk about when my mind started drifting and as I was people watching it hit me. Everyone seems really confused about how to dress for a flight (be it long or short). It's easy for dudes as most comfortable dude clothes are simple to travel in and look relatively put together, but as a lady, it's rough being in the airport. From picking the easiest shoes to wear through security to not looking like you just rolled out of bed, dressing for a day on a plane is as tough as picking out what to wear to dinner with the Ambassador of China. So, I put together some Tips & Tricks to dressing for the airport.


#1 - Comfortable Bottom
I'm personally a huge fan of wearing yoga pants. they're breathable and comfy and look a lot less sloppy than a velour sweatsuit or sweatpants and they breathe much more nicely than jeans (plus they don't wrinkle!)

Pictured - Lululemon Groove Pants

#2 - Comfy Socks
Cashmere Socks, Sport Socks, Weird Holiday Pattern Socks: You love it? Wear It.

Pictured - Nike Dri-fir Running socks


#3 - Easy On, Easy Off Shoe
I have a personal vendetta against Uggs. Please Stop Wearing Uggs to the Airport.
Pick a nice sneaker (I wore my Creative Recs yesterday, sometimes i wear Keds), Boat Shoes, Sanuks, Toms, Vans Slip Ons.
Zippy Boots, Rain Boots, Uggs, are all a pain when you're running and out of security.



Pictured (top to bottom) - Tom's, Creative Recreation Cesario Lo, Sperry Topsiders


#4 - Layer your tops for a Comfortable Flight
Let's face it, planes are never the right temperature. ever. So layering is important.
One second the Cabin is 5000 degrees and the next you feel as though you're outside of the plane.
Try a rugby shirt and a Racerback tank, a Vneck Sweater and a White Tee, A Cardigan and a Tee, etc.


Pictured - Rugbies for Layering, Layered Shawl Cardigan

#5 - Be Smart About Accessories
Don't wear too much jewelry, stick the important jewelry items in your carry on. Sometimes they set off the security sensor.
Wear a couple of hair ties on your wrist. I always find myself wanting to tie my hair into a loose bun on planes.
Wear a fun scarf that matches your ensemble. I am HUGE proponent of the pashmina, draped casually about the neck.
Don't Forget Sunglasses! Nothing is worse than the awful sun glare when you're above the clouds.


Pictured - Pashmina Scarves, Dolce & Gabbana Sunglasses


The rest is easy, pick a destination appropriate jacket, remember that any liquids (under 3.4 oz) that you carry on have to fit in ONE quart sized bag (it's awful, i know) & you'll be flying like a pro.

So, friends, I leave you with this advice. Take it for what you will, and remember to travel safely as you jet around this holiday season!

In my Kit - Skincare

It's my philosophy that you don't need to overload your face with fixer-uppers (well really, this philosophy is intellectual property of the woman responsible for fixing my skin - Dr. Paula Moynihan). Lately, I've been getting a lot of questions about how I weatherproof my face and how I've evened out my skintone. This, my friends has a simple answer - I have a good skincare ritual.

Much like the rest of the world, I am acne-prone/comboskin/pore-problematic/etc. Let's face it, no one is born perfect, but luckily, all of these problems are fixable. I've gone through a bunch of skincare rituals, but i've finally found one that works. I'm going to highlight the products that I use, but remember that everyone is different and it's going to take awhile to master your own routine.

So, What's in my skincare essentials kit?


#1 - Exfoliating Face Wash

What: Philosophy Microdelivery Exfoliating Wash (you can use this on your body too, fyi!)
When:At Night (3 -5 times a week)
How: With Warm Water! Keep Scrubbing until it stops feeling "scratchy"
What About When I Don't Use it?: Just Wash Your Face with Mild Soap and Warm Water!

#2 - Toner

What: Caudalie Beauty Elixir
When: Everyday in the morning and at night when you wash your face.
How: Just shake it, spritz it on and let it dry for a few seconds.
What's so great about this, it kind of smells weird: The weird smell is a result of it being almost 100% plant based, also it's cruelty free. Bonus feature, the 1oz size last forever and fits in your purse. spritz some on whenever your face needs a pick me up (i.e. humid weather, a sweaty night out) and you'll get that natural glow back quick.

#3 - Moisturizer

What:Korres 24 Hour Rose Moisturizer (6 SPF)
When: In the morning and right before bed after you wash and tone!
How: scoop a little bit up out of the pot and smooth it all over your face. Allow it to soak in and dry, and feel your skin thank you.
This stuff is expensive, is it really worth it?:Absolutely. Another natural, cruelty free, vegan-friendly product. It has little to no weird smell and really helps to give your skin a great drink. Also, totally lives up to the name, and really does moisturize all day.


#4 - Makeup Remover

What: Almay Oil Free Makeup Removal Pads
When: Whenever you need to take your makeup off or fix your makeup.
How: Remove from container, swoosh around face, be amazed.
Do these even work?: Yes, and they're cheap (you can pick them up at your local drug store). Also, they're oil free so you're not left all shiny and weird after.


So there you have it, my skincare arsenal. It's small but mighty.

IT'S A SALE!

Starting Dec 3rd - the above listed is in effect. Let's pray that the boots I wanted happen to be un-sold out in the DC store / online / everywhere or I will have to think of a new gift to ask my parents for.