messy bun

Hello Goody Spin Pins. I love you. I saw these little pins a couple of months ago and was completely interested in them. I thought, well, it would just be another hair accessory I buy, I try and I wear once. Two weeks ago while browsing the aisles at the fabulous Tarjay, I decided, why not give them a try. Well, I'm in love!

These little metal corkscrews make the perfect messy bun so easy. When the girls were visiting this weekend we all bought a pack and I think we all had nice little chignons laying by the pool! Honestly, forget the bobby pins, forget the little clear hair elastics. This new little product just entered my beauty staples.

Lauren Conrad, how she always manages to have the perfect messy bun, I get it, she has ten people working on her. Well, a few little hair screws and you will be having her look soon. Oh yay! Just in time for a weekend out, a new do, enjoy!

xoxo~Becca

{photos courtesy of Goody.com, Ban.do, Lauren Conrad.com}

Shades of Pink - Lipstick

I had a nice laugh this morning when cleaning out my bag I realized, wow, I have 10 shades of pink lipstick in my purse! Really? Is this really necessary? Whatever, yes! I'm a pink girl through and through and have a love for pink lips. So if you are in the market for a new lip color, check out my favorites.

NARS - Roman Holiday

Bobbi Brown - Pink Ballet & Retro Pink

Chanel Glossimer - #104

MAC - She Loves Candy Lipglass

Cover Girl - Shine Blast #804

Chanel Rouge - Mademoiselle

Clinique - Bamboo Pink {I've been rocking this since college. Thank you SU bookstore counter!}

taking a break

Since we have been back from China my days have consisted of running, laying in the sun, cleaning, cooking, unpacking, unpacking, unpacking and more. I haven't really dressed up much and gone out much, but that's OK. I have realized that sometimes it is OK for a little break. The one big break I have taken is a break from my long daily beauty routine.

It is a good thing to take a break from makeup, hair dryers, hair products for awhile. I feel that my skin is clean and in great shape and my hair is softer after two weeks of washing it a few times and not abusing it. With hot summer days here it is a good time to take a break on the weekends. Let your face breathe, let your hair go!

Products I'm loving:

Yes to Cucumbers Face Towelettes - They take the dirt and grease away in one swipe.

Bobbi Brown Soothing Face Toner - So I got talked into this at the makeup counter, but I have to say, I LOVE IT! I wipe it on before I go to bed and its so refreshing. Lavender and cucumber scents feel so cool in this heat.

Sugar Rose Tinted Lip Balm - It gives you a hint of color and has a little SPF in it. Perfect for sunny days.

Neutrogena Triple Moisture Deep Recovery Hair Mask - You can find it at CVS, Target, Walgreens, its nothing fancy but it works! I like to put it on and leave it on throughout the day if I have nothing to do. Five minutes in the shower will also make your hair feel shinier and new!

Here is to happy pretty hair and smiles all Summer long! xoxo~Becca

little obsessions

Ok, so I use the word obsessed a lot, whatever! It's ok, I have a lot of little obsessions (anything French, pink, sweets, lip gloss, magazines, ice cream, daily morning coffee, my IPhone, checking emails, gossip mags, Martha, bows, ruffles, blogs, planning parties, the list goes on). So yesterday I was at Sephora to get an every day basic (no, not another tube of lip gloss, eye base! hello! necessary). I saw the cutest little bottle of Benefit perfume.....and now I can't get it out of my mind! Obsessed! I thought I would share a few of my latest obsessions that I just can't stop thinking about!

Crescent Row Fragrances by Benefit - the bottles are TOO cute! I thought I would SO want the pretty pink floral Sofia bottle, Nope. My place or yours Gina! That's the perfume name. Smells fabulous and the bottle is oh too cute!

Tokyo Milk - While wandering around Anthropologie I discovered Tokyo Milk. Yes, the packaging is adorable, beautiful and pretty. However, the scents are pretty as well. I love Let Them Eat Cake perfume. Of course I would!

Kate Spade Genny Heart Pumps - RIGHT! Like I need red shoes with a big heart on them. However, I'm so bored of my footwear collection, they could totally jazz it up!

Amy Atlas - All things sweets! I think of her site 10 times a day. Maybe this is my calling in Southern Florida, a dessert buffet company! Check out her blog. Her job looks like a dream!

xoxo

makeup essentials

It was a rainy day here in D.C. today. After a long run and doing loads of laundry I felt so lazy and stayed at home the rest of the day. I started doing a lot of little projects I had been wanting to get done for awhile, one of them being cleaning out my bedroom dresser drawers and my makeup. Oh how I love makeup! I have a train case full of makeup. The funny thing is that every day when I get ready in the morning I open the case and I see the bright green shadows and the sparkles and the blues, and recently I go to the same items. Today I decided to throw out a lot of stuff. Seriously, was I ever going to wear the Clinique lilac colored eyeshadow that I bought at the bookstore at Syracuse, no and I probably shouldn't since its at least 6 years old!

During my whole clean out process I realized, wow, I have a lot of essentials. I have a lot of "I can't live without this product" products. You know how in magazines celebrities will always be asked, "What is the one beauty product you couldn't live without? one!". Ummmmm, I have about 10. I wish I could say I was one of those girls that really just swipes a little mascara on, lip gloss, blush and I'm out the door, but I would TOTALLLY be lying. Recently when I was getting ready Beau asked me, "Don't you ever get sick of putting all that stuff on?". haha, no. I mean I guess so, but now I think it is essential. So here you go. My daily products, the ones I can't live without, what is in my make up bag....

1. Laura Mercier Face Primer

2. Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer Oil Free

3. Bobbi Brown Concealer Kit (yes, I use the powder after the creamy concealer, it totally helps it not crease and stay)

4. Bobbi Brown Blush in Peony - The color is really bright pink in the container. I was a bit

scared of it, but it is the perfect pink, not bright.

5. MAC Blot Face Powder

6. Guerlain Terracotta Bronzer - You can buy this in the U.S., completely. However I bought at the Guerlain store in Paris and I always remember it was such a process. They called for it sent it up this little side elevator, all for a bronzer. Maybe that is why I love it so much!

Good memories, no, really its great!

7. Cover Girl Lash Blast Waterproof in Black - I have tried out a lot of mascaras. This is my favorite. Why spend so much money on designer mascara when you should get a new one every few months? Yep, this is one product I do actually throw away often and get a new one because my eyes get so sensitive.

8. F.Y....Eye by Benefit - Obsessed. I put this on before my eye shadow and my eye shadow will

not crease! A complete must.

9. NARS Bellissima Eye Duo Shadows or Pandora (when I want a smokey look)

10. Bobbi Brown Eye Long Wear Cream Shadow in Galaxy

11. Bobbi Brown Long Wear Gel Eyeliner and Slanted Brush (from Target) - I use to be a pencil girl but now I am addicted to the gel liner with brush. Maybe this is my can't live without.

12. Shu Uemura Eye Lash Curler

13. Clinique Long Last Soft Shine Lipstick in Bamboo Pink - I have been wearing this since college but I still totally love it and always go back to it.

14. Lip gloss Lip gloss Lip gloss - I can't really say which one, I have a bag of lip glosses on my dresser. Bobbi Brown, Dior, Mark, Covergirl, Bonne Belle, everything. Getting a new lip gloss is so addicting to me, a must, a gloss.

That's me, that is my face. I think I might cut down the products in the hot humid Florida weather, but for now, this is what is in my bag. Anybody have any favorites, send them along!

xoxo

Just Breathe

I had a long day. Woke up early. I was so eager to get into work, get a lot of work done and then leave early for my phone call. I thought, "ooooo, maybe I will be home today with a move date to Florida!". Nope.

The phone call went fine but unfortunately we have to regroup on Thursday. I came home early and was a bit stressed. I feel like I'm on a roller coaster recently, flip flopped, "DC, FL, DC, FL, current job, look for new job, stay in DC, move, FL, DC, FL, DC, FL..." etc. etc. My brain is always on. When I was on vacation I had a massage and half way through she said "Do you have trouble relaxing?". Oh my! Well here is what I did tonight when I got home: Ran 6 miles in the rain, took a long hot bath with new LUSH bath fizzy, drank rose, made dinner, watched Top Chef reruns, read magazines in my comfy fluffy bed. I feel a little more relaxed and mentally ready to start the day tomorrow as a new day hoping for everything good! I know I must think positive!

When I'm stressed out, shoulders are tense, mind is in constant ON mode here is what I like to indulge in:

Warm Bath - after years of looking at Bath Bombs at LUSH, I gave in and bought two in Montreal over the weekend. (the display in the stores makes me want to buy one of each!) AMAZING. Why did I wait all these years. Waving, not Drowning was what I used tonight. Relaxing scents of lavender. Loved it.

A Glass of Vino/Bubbly - OK, so some people relax with a nice cup of tea. I like that also. However, I truly think I calm down and relax the best with a nice glass of wine (or bubbly of course). A long day at work, a nice glass of wine on the couch. Makes me happy.

Magazines - I subscribe to multiple magazines. Actually probably too many to note on here (some say its a problem of mine. Martha, Vogue, Glamour, US, OK there are others!). I find it relaxing to cuddle up on my couch and get caught up on my piles of magazines. I like to declutter and tear out things that give me ideas for events or shopping or eating. Sometimes a magazine is nice because I don't feel bad falling asleep 1/2 way, unlike a book.

Cooking - Tonight I used a lot of items in the cabinet. Kind of a "pantry" dinner they would say. I find it calming to chop, saute, stir in a lot of surprise flavors and eat a nice dinner I cooked on my own. Yes, many nights I stick a Lean Cuisine in the microwave, however my preference is to use a pan on the stove and natural ingredients. Living on your own with no dishwasher can cause the relaxation part to fizzle when its time to clean the sink full of dishes. Tonight, my one pot easy brown rice veggie meal made my stomach happy.

Yoga - I haven't been able to get to the studio as much as I want to recently. I have downloaded free pod casts on Itunes as well as I listen to Kimberly Wilson's Yoga Cd's. Often I will light a lot of candles in my living room, turn the lights out and do a 20 to 40 minute session on my own. It is a great way to relax before bed.

Candles - What is it with lighting a bunch of candles that calms you down? I love to light a bunch of smelly candles in each room in my apartment when I walk in the door. I think when it gets dark out, the light calms me and the scents blend together nicely. I have a mix of candles from everywhere: CVS, West Elm, Anthro, Target, as long as you like the scent, light them up. They are soothing!

No TV - The past few months I have stopped watching TV in my bed as I fall asleep. I ended up falling asleep the minute I turned it on and I would wake up at 3am with lights and sound on. Try it, turn your TV off, it is nice actually. Quiet.

NO Phone - This is rare. Since December when I got my Iphone I have been addicted (how did I get by before!?!?). I think I actually have my phone in bed half the time. I check my emails, Facebook, Twitter, etc., 24/7. Once and awhile I try to turn the ringer off and ignore it. Tonight I did it. I tried and it worked. I had that type of day where I kind of wanted to be alone. It's hard, but try it, it's nice.

I am relaxed and ready to get in bed. What are your ways to wind down after a stressful day?

xoxo

bad hair day

It's humid, rainy or I'm running late, my go to hair style, a ponytail and a headband! Recently I have realized that my headband collection is growing growing growing. A little teasing, a little hair powder, elastic, headband, done.

Hair powder is a must! It makes my hair hold the little bit of tease and the pouf you need for the pony. I am a huge fan of Bumble and Bumble spray powder. I use the "blondish". The powder comes in all different shades, don't be afraid, its amazing! Try it!

Even when I was little I was obsessed with headbands. I wonder if my bow, flower, headband love will ever go away? I don't think so. I love everything from the drugstore Goody elastic headbands for every day or a headband I spent more on then a pair of shoes for an event. Today it is raining so I decided a little flower would brighten it up...I'm rockin the yellow flowers:)

xoxo

SUMMER SALES!!!

Recently I feel like it's after the holidays! The Summer sales are everywhere! I know I need to be saving up for my move, but I ....couldn't help it;) I like to say I deserve them, a few sale splurges! Take advantage of the sales now before Fall comes and everything is FULL PRICE again! Happy shopping!!! xoxo

Kate Spade - 25% off of sale items. I bought the green purse for more then 50% off the original price and am loving the bright green bag for Summer.

JCrew - an additional 20% sale items until tomorrow. I have pretty much been living in my dress I bought there.

Bloomingdales - ok, it takes a little bit of a search but the Sale section is FABULOUS! After searching for months for a new watch I found a comparable one to the $300 watch I wanted for this $120 watch. I am SO excited for it to arrive in the mail. A lot of items right now are take an additional 30% off!

Gap - I have been searching for white jeans. I do not really want to spend a lot of money on them. I saw these at the Gap for $19.99 on sale! Through the end of today if you enter FRIEND at checkout you get an additional 20% off.

Whimsy Press - If you are looking for some cute cards and stationary this site is offering 60% everything. Enter 2009 at checkout. They have the cutest stuff!

Anthropologie - They had a dress I was dying for, $250- went on sale for $98. Ok this is one thing I will admit, didn't buy, but I am sure you will find a treasure there. They always have great sale skirts and dresses

I love DC- #3

Tranquil Space! Ok so I have become a little obsessed with Tranquil Space. I discovered Tranquil Space three years ago when I signed up for a newbie yoga class and have been HOOKED since. They opened up a new amazing studio on 17th street last year. The studio is the perfect place to come after work, during the weekend, on a busy day when you need to get your mind away. Not only is it a fabulous yoga studio, it is also a store, a spa and a tea bar. I LOVE IT! Yoga and retail therapy!

Kimberly Wilson is the lady who started it all! I listen to her podcast, read her blog and have read her books. I was reading an article about her recently and the girl said it perfect....they had a girl crush on Kimberly Wilson! haha. I totally agree. Kimberly was a paralegal and started teaching yoga in her living room. Years later I find her story of how she followed her dream and opened up Tranquil Space, designed clothes, wrote a few books, the story goes on. She is super cool with her pink stripes in her hair, her obsession with cupcakes, her cute pug Louis and her fabulous "pink palace". What other yoga studio have you heard of that offers a hip hop yoga class on a Friday night with a dj! Kimberly's idea.

I have been researching places in Florida that compare somewhat to Tranquil Space and I haven't found it yet. It truly is one place I wish I could pack up and move with me! If you live in DC and haven't taken a class there, go! If you are visiting, go. I hope you find the Tranquil Space lifestyle the Kimberly has created as fabulous as I have!

Now I'm off to bed....trying to keep my mind as relaxed as it was when I left class yesterday....Namaste!

xoxo

A Mini Staycation

Happy 4th of July! I hope everybody had a great weekend in the sun, eating watermelon, having cocktails outside, hanging out with friends. I stayed in DC and I really feel like I had a mini vacation...a staycation. Last year I spent in Florida with beau. This year I figured I would be in sunny Florida soon enough and needed a little DC time.

Thursday night I started out on Besse's new boat. It was so wonderful being outside, having cocktails and catching up with girlfriends. The waterfront in Georgetown can be quite a scene and it was nice to watch it from the water and not in one of the crowded bars. It poured when we first got on the boat, but it left behind an amazing view of the Kennedy Center! I had to capture the rainbow going over the building that brings so many memories to my mind. The cocktail of the night was the Firefly. If you haven't tried it yet, its fabulous! Sweet Tea flavored vodka either mixed with Ginger Ale, Club Soda or Lemonade. Amazing. Great summer cocktail.

Friday I did a little summer sale shopping (can't resist!), layed out at Erin's pool (a treat when you live in an apartment building with no rooftop!). Friday night we went to the 80's outdoor movie night in Rosslyn. SO fun! I love that DC has so many summer movie nights. The mall has Screen on the Green, downtown Bethesda has Stars on the Avenue and up in Rockville they show movies at Strathmore. (August 19, mark your calendars for Twilight!) Top Gun was the Friday night flick. I forgot how great that movie was. Tom Cruise in the 80's, sigh, super cute! I love getting a picnic, wine and girlfriends to these movie nights!

Saturday, the 4th of July we had a little party at Meg's place. Lots of yummy treats, Rose Wine Spritzers and then walked down to the White House. Being that this will be my last 4th of July in DC it was pretty cool to stand right in front of the White House watching the amazing fireworks. My first 4th was as an intern at the Kennedy Center watching from the terrace, so I think I had a great start and a great finish!

Sunday after laying in bed (almost finishing Breaking Dawn) I went to the Farmers Market. Love that place! I bought amazing purple basil, more gazpacho and loads of arugula. A little yoga at Tranquil Space. The best yoga studio ever! The rest of the day has been relaxing, cleaning and getting ready for the week. No days, off, no vacation. Staycation is over. Back to work. But it's still summer! So in my mind...there are still a lot of fabulous sunny days ahead like I had this weekend.

I had a fabulous 4th! How about you?

xoxo

Summer Hair

It is that time of the year again when I embrace my naturally wavy hair, I don't think I have much choice. I have always been a product junkie with a bathroom full of "potions" and new products (ask my sisters!)  Recently I have found a few summer hair products I love! The humidity in DC is awful this time of the year. I think the weather is going to be similar in Southern Florida, so its time for me to stalk up on Summer Hair products! Here are a few of my favs!

1. Bumble & Bumble Surf Spray $22 Gives you that wavy beach hair and it smells great!

2. Oribe Impermeable Anti-Humidity Spray $38 Yes, I know, kind of pricey, but totally worth it! Oribe is a hair stylist to the stars! He is based in Miami, so who else would know humidty better then him. Its my new favorite product of the summer!

3. Kerastase Gelee Aqua Proof $34 Slather it on your wet hair when you are at the pool or the beach and it protects and keeps it soft and smooth. 

4. Aveeno Nourish & Moisturize Shampoo $7 NEW! Drugstore brand and price! I just bought it and have read about it everywhere. It is suppose to make your hair oh so soft. I'll keep you posted on my new bargain find. 

Summer Shades

So tonight I decided to skip my run and get a mani/pedi. Totally worth it! However, why every time when I walk into Cleveland Park Day Spa do I stare at the wall of  the little fabulous polish bottles so indecisive. Lincoln Park After Dark, Ballet Slippers, Pinking of You? It's summer, its sunny, its time for peep toes and flip flops! I decided to go with a little bright hot pink shade....Shorts Story. Maybe next time Neon Pink. Don't settle with Bubble Bath every week ladies, add a little brightness for the season. Here are some of my favorites. 

Orgasm - NARS

Exposure - Essie

Flirty Fuchsia - Essie 

Never Enough Shoes - OPI Sephora 

Feelin' Hot-Hot-Hot - OPI