èze | eza

Don't climb to the top of Èze and fall down in the garden. Because you'll be riddled with thorns and cactus prickles.

On our way to Monaco last summer we stopped briefly in Èze - a quaint French village drenched in the sun and sea. It seemed to me to be a walk entirely uphill, that led to one of the bluest, most vibrant riviera vistas I have seen in all of my days. With your occasional cactus.

Apparently this cactus garden, the jardin botanique, is very famous. And while I do appreciate a fair share of succulents, I preferred the whitewashed stone buildings and little shops that you could find if you poked about every corner. What amazed me about it here was how quiet it was. Perfectly lovely, tucked away, and absolutely perfect for a hidden picnic or to enjoy a small glass of champagne.

ciao! xo

new beauty additions

Nars tinted moisturizer | Benefit Fake Up | Elf Cream Eyeliner | Urban Decay All Nighter spray

I think its apart of my spring fever...but a few weeks ago I stocked up on some new makeup essentials!

I decided to cancel my birchbox subscription, partially because 

a) I was tired of receiving some samples that I really loved, 

and b) I'd rather save the $10/month and splurge on something I really need.

So - here are a few of my current favorites.

NARS and I go way back. I remember my first ever NARS purchase - lip gloss in Turkish delight.

A high school favorite of mine. Ah, the memories. 

This tinted moisturizer will hopefully prove to be good to my skin - I am optimistic.

I can't bring myself to wear just tinted moisturizer, though, as a moisturizer...so this will be more of a foundation.

A birchbox find that I have loved was the Fake Up concealer from Benefit. Love love love.

I don't usually buy concealer, and if I do I usually pick up a less expensive version at CVS..

but I am beginning to see the magic! I like to swipe this under my eyebrows, 

under eyes, and even over some blemishes to brighten up my face before adding more.

Another awesome and amazingly-priced pick is my Elf cream eyeliner.

When I put it on in a hurry, it can be bad news...it takes precision and patience.

But I remember on a day I actually took my time and did a really good cat-eye, I loved the results!

It stays on all day.

Speaking of staying on: my friends recommended the UD "All Nighter" spray to me.

I wore it out on new years' eve and it was great. It's also available in an oil-control version.

After a night of being out and hot and sweaty from dancing, it kept my face clear and clean.

so, there you have it! some current beauty essentials.

what are you swearing by these days?

ciao, xo

insta-lately

YAY! It is April!

There are crocus buds in the garden,

I think I can put away my puffy down jacket,

I come home from work and it is still light out,

anddddd, it's my birthday month!

Now mother nature needs to get it through her stubborn head

that it should be warm and sunny and appropriate dress-wearing weather.

These instagrams from life lately kind of sum it up:

girlie tea parties with vases of daffodils...

taking eveerrry possible moment to wear spring-y clothes...

latte stops at my favorite city cafe

and admiring the collections of paper at Paper Source (hello dream job).

Another thing I am starting to think about is

grad school shopping - ahhhhh. I am excited yet so unsure about what I want to do.

I want to do something unexpected and weird. I would study italian if I could.

But I really want to go to the school that has a room that looks as if it could be in Downton Abbey...

:)

happy April, everyone! ciaaaao, xo!

scenes from my weekend.

This weekend: lots of rain, grading tests, tea time, 

a little get-together/Arbonne party, and an all-girls breakfast. 

OH! and a drastic haircut for me {drastic meaning ~3"}. 

Also from the weekend: crazy wanderlusting,

dreaaaaming/begging for springtime weather,

getting excited for my birthday (soon!),

and having margaritas with good old friends.

So even though there aren't many pictures to show it, 

what a great weekend! If it weren't for all the rain, I would've probably gone out

and taken more photos, but it was kind of nice to know that it's actually rain and not snow 

going on outside. A big sigh of relief :)

ciao, xo