madness

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today was going to be a post on my packing plans for hawaii, until i heard of the horrific news from boston.  now, this blog is not a podium for me to tell you my thoughts and opinions on politics and current events, it is meant to be a happy escape for readers to come and enjoy some lighthearted reading and hopefully get some inspiration.  however i can't ignore the news, and feel the need to devote today's post to the events at the boston marathon. 

these people are athletes.  they are not activists, they are not protestors, they are not hurting anyone by running 26.2 miles today.  they are athletes.  they've trained for months, years, lifetimes even, to compete in this race.  they travelled from all over the world to participate.  they woke up this morning excited, anticipating crossing the finish line of the marathon, but instead of cheers and smiles of relief, runners and spectators were bombarded with clouds of smoke, loud noises, and looks of terror on each others faces. 

i cannot wrap my head around events like these.  i can only hope that one day events like these will no longer plague our daily news.  my thoughts and prayers are with those affected by this tragedy in boston today.

on island time

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next week i'll be jetting off to maui for a six day vacation.  i haven't had a tropical vacation in years, so needless to say, i'm pretty excited.  this will also be my first time going to hawaii and i can't wait to explore and try new things (surfing lessons, anyone?)! on the agenda so far is snorkeling,windsurf lessons, surfing lessons, eating as much fresh seafood as possible, and sneaking in a few macadamia nut cookies along the way (shh don't tell).

i'm planning on bringing just one little carry-on, as usual.  some favorites that i'll be stuffing in it are this bikini, a gorgeous (a super comfortable) Mara Hoffman dress, and of course, my J.Crew Panama hat!  i'll also be bringing some work-out gear, cute denim cut-offs, and tees + tanks. crossing my fingers that it all fits...!   i definitely think i still need another swimsuit, one that is guaranteed to stay put while surfing watching the waves go by.  so i have officially one week to find it, or just wait until i get there and hope that i can find one on the island!

i seriously just can't wait. sun + sand (+ SPF), here i come!! 

insta-update

a room full of wine and cheese. love.

the aerialist...i've decided i need to learn how to do this

me (in my new H&M jacket featured here) with my friend Patrick (in costume!)

the go-go dancers on top of the wine bar

last friday night the boyfriend and i attended Napa Gras before heading to Sonoma for the weekend with friends.  the event started last year as a way to celebrate Premiere Napa Valley and showcase some of the wines that were being auctioned off.  we both had an incredible time watching the aerialist, trying the different wines + yummy food, and exploring the different parts of Raymond (recent winner of Winery of the Year).  trust me, if you're traveling to wine country, this is a must-visit.  it is so different from any other vineyard in the area.  that's all i'll say...just go see for yourself!

after the event we made our way toward Sonoma to meet up with some friends from college who we were staying with for the weekend.  saturday involved more wine tasting (with trips here and here, and back to Raymond to show everyone else) and some delicious food at Gott's Roadside.  when you take the trip to Raymond, be sure to stop here for lunch and get the ahi tuna burger...yummmm! then to wrap it up, we headed to Point Reyes on sunday to enjoy oysters and the beautiful scenery at Tomales Bay.

poppies at Robert Mondavi

freshly laid eggs from the farm at Raymond

three-week old lambs at Raymond

the cutest little guys around!

this weekend we'll be staying in the city and enjoying the amazing weather.  i'm hoping to get in some yoga and hiking...and maybe some paddleboarding and horseback riding (i'm learning, so i need as much practice as possible!).  and if all goes well, i'll be breaking out some warm-weather clothes and taking advantage of the sunshine!

bloom

<floral looks from the Spring 2013 runways>

from left to right: Moschino, Chanel, Prada, Ralph Lauren

<translating the runway into everyday>
Tibi Daisies Sleveless Yoked Tank / Rag & Bone Cambridge Jacket/ Preen Ella Printed Skirt / Gap Printed Legging Skimmer Jeans/ RED Valentino Strawberry Field Print Dress/ Madewell Painted Lacebloom Dress

one of my favorite spring trends straight off the runway is florals.  i love that they can be completely feminine, like the pretty and pink Moschino look above, or toughened up-case in point: the Rag & Bone floral + leather jacket.  Alicia from Cheetah is the New Black wore this jacket recently here and it looked amazing the way she styled it!

another great thing about this trend: you probably already have at least one floral-printed piece in your wardrobe!  to freshen it up a little bit, try pairing it with a print or leather (extra points if it's pastel!).  i plan on wearing a silk floral dress that i already own with my leather jacket to add a little edge.  hopefully it'll be warm enough this weekend to be able to wear it...photos to follow!

will you give florals a try this spring? how will you wear them?

weekend wear: the basics

top left: H&M Leather Sleeve Military Jacket

top right: Jimmy Choo Motorcycle Boot

bottom Left: Zara Basic T-Shirt

bottom Right: Zara Faux Leather Leggings

i'm heading to wine country this weekend (yay!) and need an appropriately stylish yet comfortable outfit for vineyard-hopping and wine tasting (again...yay!), so i've decided to freshen up the jeans and tee look with some updated basics.  with the exception of the jimmy choo's (a girl can dream, right?), i already own the other three pieces shown here.  i'll definitely be adding some oomph to this outfit with accessories, but the real focus is on these pieces.  they'll be perfect to wear while sipping on some chardonnay (and pinot, and cab, and...well, the list goes on). 

have a great weekend! xx

eye candy

i recently decided to treat myself for valentine's day and have my make-up done by a sephora professional before my date with the boyfriend last week.  now, for some background, i don't really "do" my make-up (my boyfriend may disagree, as i do take just a littttttle bit of time to get ready).  my basic routine includes tinted moisturizer, some concealer, blush/bronzer combo, and some mascara. done-i'm out the door! so i didn't really know what to expect when i went to my appointment last week...will she paint my eyelids purple with sparkly eyeshadow? will my face look orange from bronzer? will i get raccoon eyes? AH! 

thankfully, i was so happily relieved with the result and thrilled with what she did.  i've never had my make up done that well.  she really listened to what i wanted and kept everything pretty natural, just enhanced.  in fact, she did such an amazing job, that i ended up buying the eye shadow palette and liner that were used (i've even successfully used them since!).  

here are a few of the main products she used on me.  i can honestly say that i think the Urban Decay Naked Palette would look gorgeous on anyone, no matter what skin tone.  the colors are beautiful and allow you to come up with so many different combinations for day looks and night looks, plus it comes with a mini shadow primer! i also loved the Laura Mercier Cream Eye Liner and bought a pot for myself (seriously, it glides on so smoothly that even i can draw a perfect winged liner).  so go out to your local Sephora and schedule an appointment with one of their artists (maybe even ask to try some of these products in your session!), trust me, you will not be disappointed!!

Urban Decay sparkly eyeshadow / Tarte blush / Laura Mercier eyeliner / Yves Saint Laurent yves saint laurent mascara / Bobbi Brown Cosmetics colorful lipstick

just shuck it

i've been completely consumed with everything and anything other than this blog for the past few weeks unfortunately, but at least it hasn't all been work! the boyfriend's parents were in town recently and it just happened to be his dad's birthday, which gave us an excuse to indulge every night at a new restaurant. toward the end of their stay, we planned a surprise trip to hog island oyster in point reyes for one more chance to celebrate.  it was absolutely gorgeous that day, and we enjoyed shucking our own oysters (my first time! surprisingly, it's not as hard as it looks-but i was definitely skeptical going into it), sipping white wine, and savoring possibly the most delicious cupcakes i've ever made.  if you need to make a sweet treat for something coming up...maybe valentine's day, hmm?...i strongly suggest giving this recipe a try!

we're kind of cool...stamps we needed to shuck our own oysters.

the spread.

the finished cupcakes...seriously, make these now. you will not regret it!

speaking of valentine's day, i need to go pick up my gift for the boyfriend. he's surprising me on thursday and friday and i couldn't be more excited!!! yes, that's right, he's amazing. what will you be doing to celebrate? eating chocolate cupcakes, you say?? well i think that's just a grand idea!