I can’t wait to get this piece for my little home bar. Because besides fashion, Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel had a way with words. These in particular are words to live drink by. So yes, I drink champagne on two occasions – when I am in love, and when I am not from my new Marquis by Waterford champagne flutes of course. I got mine from Joss & Main, but here’s a similar (and slightly cheaper option).
On a regular day, I don’t wear makeup, I’m lucky if I even remember to moisturize. (Cardinal beauty sin, I know.) Every now and again I get myself into a beauty habit, it usually lasts until I realize I can squeeze out an extra ten minutes of sleep if I stop primping in the mirror.
One year, I felt particularly pale and felt the need to add a bit of color with bronzer. Another year I grew quite fond of the eye-widening powers of white eyeliner. Little known fact, black eyeliner on the inner rim of the bottom lid accentuates almond shaped eyes. Last year, I rekindled a love affair with Estée Lauder’s Sumptuous Extreme mascara.
These days I’m in love with a tube of matte red lipstick. My new lacquer of choice is “Rich Red” from Max Studio, similar here.
With each passing year, we’re all called to do a bit of reflecting. All that reflecting led to me reviving this blog, even if it’s only for a little while. The last twelve months have been an interesting and tumultuous to say the least. The thing is, I wouldn’t change most of it for the world. Sure, like anyone, there are things I wish never happened, but I’m making a point to go into 2014 with as few regrets as possible. In lieu of the face that my Facebook year in review failed to capture the highlights of the past year, here’s my highlight reel, the way I see it.
1. #BigFatGreekVacay
I checked another destination off of my travel list when I took a trip to Greece with a couple of my best friends and a few new friends. From Athens to Mykonos to Santorini, we had a great time exploring, lounging and eating. Take a peek at the pictures here.
2. My First Solo Apartment
I guess you could say I struck out on my own nearly 3 years ago when I moved to NYC all on my lonesome. But this year I took another, bigger step to what some might call real adulthood. I moved into my first non-roommate apartment, and I’ve enjoyed setting up “house.”
3. Disney Trip
Short and sweet, but a memory I’ll share with my sister forever. It’s the first trip to Disney we can both remember (because the last time we went, she was a toddler and not the chatty teenager who won’t stop reminding me that she’s taller than me). Sure, Splash Mountain was a hell of a lot smaller than I remembered, and it rained entirely too much, but it was a great trip nonetheless.
4. #BecauseWeCancun
For my annual birthday trip, my best friend and I took a trip to Mexico for a bit of fun in the sun. We explored Chichen Itza, drank quite a bit of tequila and relaxed. (Full disclosure: I’m not a relaxing vacation type of girl, I like exploring, day trips, and always having something to do, it was nice to do Cancun once, but I’m not sure I’ll ever go back). See the pics here.
5. The Dream Job (at least for now)
Picking this one was a doozy, I couldn’t really figure out what to end this on, but where my job is concerned this year has been a dream. It’s had it’s crazy moments where I thought I was going to explode, where it really and truly seemed like a nightmare. The truth of the matter is, when I cried my eyes out a year ago, not knowing whether the new job I’d taken was the “right” choice, I didn’t know how right it was. I sacrificed a safe place for something that allowed me to grow immensely. If I ever doubted myself, this past year has taught me that I can do whatever I set my mind to…
It’s been an interesting year, of that I am sure. I can only hope 2014 will be even more nerve-racking-ly awesome. Thank you to my friends who have listened to me whine, drank bottles and bottles of booze with me, and walked me through some truly character-building moments, all of which 2013 was not short on, My resolution, if I were to have one would be to keep pushing myself the way I always have and to do something today that my future self will thank me for…(I also hope I can muster up the energy to update this thing every week)
[1] Baroque Side Table; $675.00 – NeimanMarcus.com [2] Alessandra Di Tommaso Baroque Skull Lava Ring; $369.00 – Luisaviaroma.com [3] Murano Mosaic Millefiori Tumblers; $99.00 – Gumps.com [4] Mystery Gold Murano Necklace; $238.00 – Boticca.com [5] Josh Goot Slim Skirt; $450.00 – ShopBop.com
My trip to Venice sparked an adoration for Murano glass and re-ignited my love for the baroque style. The city floats on the Adriatic Sea, it’s beauty unveiled in every corner and crevice. My mom took to repeating “Venice is like a fairy book,” an interesting combination of fairy tale and storybook. From the Realto Market to the bridges and old doors on the canals and the man playing his violin in a corner at sunset, it’s not hard to imagine how the quiet magnificence of this city sparking a Renaissance. The spirit of the city is somehow captured in my picks and all of the plethora of pictures I took.
Sweaters are one of those few items the fashionable masses go gaga for that are just as functional as they can be indulgent. Whether it’s cashmere or wool, sweaters offer that cozy hug that keeps you warm when you’d otherwise be stuck in the teeth chattering cold (and a jacket of course).
From top left to bottom right:
Pullover Bow Sweater, $29.95; Gap.com | Royal Blue Bat-Wing Sweater, $53.99; Romwe.com | Colorlane Pullover, $59.99; Madwell.com | Tanya Taylor – Dorothy Sweater, $795.00; FarFetch.com
I have a vague recollection of me opening my fridge as a child only to find nail polish nestled beside the mini jars of jam. (Sounds a little strange, right?) I suppose I never questioned why until today, when I was flipping through one of those beauty guidebooks. Low and behold, it seems putting nail polish in the refrigerator will preserve the consistency and keep your polish from separating. I’ve invested way too much money in my polish collection (see image above) to let it all go to waste, so perhaps I’ll start practicing this. I just need to find the right container to house my nail lacquer, because unlike my dear mom – I don’t believe nail polish belongs beside the gourmet jam.
Alternatively, I could subject them to the frigid temperature I woke up to in my apartment…
I love french onion soup and I love grilled cheese, combine the two and I don’t know what to do with myself except eat!
I adapted the original recipe I found on Chatelaine’s website here.
Prep: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 30 minutes
Makes 4 Servings
Ingredients
1 tbsp olive oil
3 medium onions, sliced thinly (about 3 1/2 cups)
1/2 900 mL carton low-sodium beef broth
1 thyme sprig
8 slices rye bread
4 slices gruyére or swiss cheese (about 120 g)
Directions
Heat a large non-stick frying pan over high. Add 1 tsp oil, then onions, broth and thyme.
Cook, uncovered, stirring often, until liquid is reduced, about 15 min.
Remove thyme.
Top each slice with about 1/3 cup onion mixture and 1 cheese slice.
Top with remaining bread.
Wipe pan clean.
Heat over medium. Brush pan with 1 tsp oil.
Cook 2 sandwiches at a time, about 2 min per side.
Repeat with remaining oil and sandwiches.
Enjoy!