cold moon

It is absolutely unbelievable how cold it is - today, the wind chill is supposedly going to go below zero. This kind of weather makes me hate waking up at the unthinkable early morning hours that I have to. It is just so evil out! But it snowed the other day, and the snow does such a wondrous thing - it blankets everything and turns it beautiful. Anyway, earlier this week the wind was howling and I got home late - already dark out. As I was pulling up home I caught - out of the very teeniest corner of my vision - the moon. How could I miss it? A dazzling, clear, full golden moon. It seemed so close that you could even see the grooves of the cavernous craters.

What I wanted to do was curl up in my heated blanket and watch the Downton Abbey season 5 premiere (again) but instead I lugged my bags in, and dug out my good ol mini tripod and trusty camera. I dragged my mom to come on this little spontaneous photography adventure! And it was worth the frigid temps! By the time 5 minutes had passed I couldn't feel my hands! Hence the totally off-centered shots...

I love moon chasing. La bella luna! And these images aren't edited except for the watermark. Hashtag no filter :) It's never a bad thing to take a break from life to look up - just up at the sky - for a moment or two.

ciao, xo and happy thursday! 

don't forget to look UP today!

current (and forever) beauty favorites

I am really excited about this selection of beauty faves because it's not just current - I feel like I've struck gold and these will be longtime go-to choices. That being said, it is quite an opulent selection - rich Chanel lipsticks, La Mer, skinny gel eyeliners. Combined, these would make up the ultimate gilded look, something really glitzy and festive for a special occasion - not everyday. I think a little touch of red for a random workday doesn't hurt, but layering all of this on does make for a particularly glamorous look. Alright... I am done talking about toning this makeup down! I am so excited, like I said, because I am totally 100% in love with each and every product; I feel really confident on how to wear them.

Foundation I have spent the better part of the last year finding out which moisturizers work for me and what doesn't - I've never thought about it before but it may have been the cause of some minor issues like oily skin and breakouts. So I ditched anything I doubted altogether (which was hard to do). I tried a few samples of Creme de la Mer and of course, it's absolutely divine. It leaves skin light and succulent and nourished. However the price tag is definitely an inhibitor, so I rarely (and I mean rarely) use this before dabbing on my favorite Visible Lift Blur (or as I just call it, "blur") foundation by L'Oreal. To apply, I use one of those awesome foamy tools that cost $5 or so at any beauty store. Then comes the bronzer. I picked out this Bare Essentials bronzer - a perennial favorite - during a complimentary Sephora makeover, which I highly recommend if you're doing a total beauty overhaul.  I really think the unsung hero with my bronzer is the brush, actually. I bought this super-soft brush (not sure if it is a true kabuki brush) solely for my bronzer, and I love it.

Lips The investment pieces are obviously a little pricier; Chanel lipstick is not something I plan to start collecting but man is it fun to have a little stash going! I have two shades, but my more recent acquirement is La Fascinate - a super 'old hollywood' bold red. This is something I'll definitely be reserving for nights out and 'fancier' occasions. My everyday pick is Bonheur, which unfortunately doesn't "last" as long on, but has a beautiful plum tone to it along with a light shimmer to awaken the color.

Eyes For everyday, I use the Revlon and Almay skinny liners (I used to be horrible at applying, but practice makes perfect). Both are great for layering atop the other, since one is jet-black and the other is a pretty gem-tone purple. I don't normally use either on the lower-lids, but the Almay is actually perfect for smudging and creating a jewell-y dimension. I find that I love this amethyst color (and also a jade green) for my eyes. Do some messing around and you can find a rich gem tone that complements you eyes, too. :) I also just received a waterproof Chanel eye pencil in ebene (black) which is really fun for drawing dramatic, bold lines that won't budge. Last but not least - and probably my desert island product - is mascara. For me, I've always gravitated to L'Oreal, anything high-volume.

- - -

This post has made me feel like a beauty editor. New dream job? 

See the details in the products below (they are click-through links).
This is not a sponsored post. All opinions are my own.

ciao! xo

simple joys

Simple joys are...

A vibrant burst of hydrangeas on your night table during the coldest winter months.

Blankets by the fire with your sweetheart.

Late night air-popped corn during a Harry Potter weekend.

The warmth of a climbing under the covers at night.

Fancy candles for the not-so fancy occasions.

George Harrison music marathons during lazy mornings.

The satisfaction of a newly-organized and cleaned living space.

Feeling alive, breathing blasts of winter cold air after a quick jog.

Fresh laundered pajamas.

These are just a few simple joys off the top of my head from the Christmas break. It was 12 days long - a record! - as Christmas was on a Thursday. It allowed for the longest possible break..and it was heavenly. I relaxed so much that I truly have forgotten a lot of the worries that I'll be unfortunately tackling again today. All I can say is that this little vacation has been such a treat. S was back home from California and his presence has been an integral part to this happy, eased feeling. We got so much done but also had so much time to relax, meander around, and just be us. I miss it already! But I've never been happier or more content with life. I am just so so happy and blessed.

As for the rest of my little joys...the past few weeks have actually been quite productive. I was accepted into my top grad school of choice, so I will be starting classes VERY soon indeed and getting back into the swing of all things academic! I am a little nervous, too. In my peak, I remember writing 10+ page papers was a breeze - but now I am a little intimidated, as I work a full 8+ hour workday with work that sometimes has to come home with me. I know I could have a lot more on my plate so this is the best time to 'get it overwith,' as it were. I suppose the little bit of nerves is normal!

Another big feat (for me) was totally gutting my room and cleaning it up. I was able to clean out old and useless clothes and put them in bags for donations. I went to the Container Store - my new favorite - and bought a lot of, well, containers. I organized SO much of my stuff. Paint stuff, scrapbooking stuff, makeup stuff, stationery, yoga stuff, handbags, even high school yearbooks. Poof! Organized.  After cleaning it up I decided that over the next couple of days I want to do some major feng-shui changes. Maybe even new paint! I am thinking bright and crisp. Thoughts on white?

Lastly, with the extra time off I made some small strides forward with running again - I overcame the fear of the crippling cold (by crippling I am talking about 40-50 degree weather, don't laugh at me) and just got out for short 1 mile runs. Pairing that with a lot of yoga made me feel waaaay less guilty about holiday eating. The satisfying feeling of having a run done, yoga class under your belt, and making smart decisions about eating - it just leaves me light and airy and literally happier. It sure does beat food guilt!

I am feeling overall cozy, comfortable with everything...but ready to begin the challenges of work and grad school. I'm looking forward to getting trained as a better writer - I have lately felt like my writing is so loose and unrefined. I am debating on also joining a gym - we will see how I can balance the time - to improve on my strength and have something besides running to balance yoga. All is well, all is good. Feeling happy and grateful.

ciao, xo

happy monday! (eek!)

2015 wanderlust

I am sitting here sipping a coffee and making myself swear to go to one of these places this year. I believe the Dalai Lama is known for these instructions: Once a year, go someplace you've never been before. I, so far, have lived by that quote for a few years now! Starting in 2008 (on and off) I have been to plenty a new place, and I am blessed. First - Italy. Then back to Italy in 2011. Then, in 2013, a slew of new countries including France, Monaco and Croatia (and - you guessed it - Italy!). Last year I got to know more of the USA when S moved to California. And for 2015?! Who knows! But these places are looking very attractive indeed, for several reasons. Who's with me?

photos via here // original sources cannon beach // bondi beach // okinawa // yorkshire // south africa

I am blessed that I have free time in the summer to travel! So I am really thinking hard. Unfortunately the summer is the busiest, and most expensive time to travel anywhere, it seems. But if I start saving small, and do it right and with discipline, it is doable! And planning is required of course. Some of the places above are similar (hello, beaches!) but I also have such an interest in England lately. Then South Africa (random, right?). Some are much more realistic than others. I just want to see it all while I can and while I'm young!

Where are you planning on going this year?

ciao, xo