Ruby Woo-Hoo!

One of my goals for 2010 (still working on finalizing that list!) is to embrace my pale skin. If you know me then you've probably heard me complain about how extremely pale I am and how you can practically see through me. Well, no more. I'm embracing my Nordic roots and am going to attempt to enhance my "unique" look!

How am I going to do this, you wonder? Enter Ruby Woo, this seriously glamorous, daring and oh-so-fabulous lip color. It's one of MAC's bestsellers.

(Image via timeout.com)

I've always loved the look of girls who have pale skin and bright red lips but have never attempted the look myself. Until last night, that is. I saw this color on a friend and she went from looking sweet and innocent to being the sexy salsa queen.

Though it didn't help me become a salsa champion (even the greatest lipstick on earth can only do so much to improve a girl's life) I did feel like I was on my way to becoming the new and improved me. Just call me B Von Teese.

(Image from www.sofeminine.co.uk)

Chi-town Shenanigans

I'll be here this weekend. And I might not ever leave.

(Images from top: www.artsjournal.com, wwwpoetryforpeace.org, www.vicon.com, www.essential-architecture.com)

Get Your Cha Cha On

This weekend is going to be a very good time. Chicago. Friends. Cooking. Eating. Drinking. Salsa Dancing. Yes, salsa. I'm terrified. But it gives me the excuse to wear an outfit like this.

 

 (Image from Polyvore.com)

Ok, so I'm not actually going to wear this outfit to salsa this weekend...though that Marc Jacobs skirt is quite the statement piece. And actually, I don't see myself ever wearing an outfit like this. But I guess if I'm going to be in a different city doing something completely out of my element I think it's okay to wear something that could be considered slightly out of character. Plus, it's fun to play dress up  (via Polyvore) even if I'm almost 30!

Merveilleux!

At my very small high school (40 kids in my class) in my very small town (population 508) we were taught French as our foreign language. Why yes, we were cultured and sophisticated! Oh wait...

Somehow all I have remembered over the past 10 years, besides the typical phrases of bonjour, aujourd'hui, etc., is the word parapluie! It is my favorite French word.

I've been motivated recently to improve my skills. Why?  So I can read Marie Claire Maison and understand what they are saying about the unbelievable photos.

Plus, if I am going to have a vacation house like this I should probably know how to say more than just J'aime mon parapluie. Oh, and I should probably learn to love being surrounded by neon pink.

 

 

(Images from Marie Claire Maison)

On second thought learning a language seems like a lot of work. I'll stick to drooling over the photos in each issue and making up my own descriptions.

Magnet Madness!

Accessories are the finishing touch to both an outfit and your home. It's a simple way for a person to give others a glimpse of his or her personality.

One unexpected place that I like to give people a glimpse into my personality is my fridge. No, I'm not talking about what's inside. In this case it's what is on the outside that counts. And what better way to give people a hint of my personality than by adorning my fridge with my favorite tiny pieces of art - MAGNETS! Not only do they add interest on their own, but you can also rearrange them in different ways...it's just like an art gallery in your kitchen, no?

(Images: 1. http://www.etsy.com/shop/picardcreative, 2.? 3. amazon.com, 4. http://www.etsy.com/shop/magnetix , 5. Anne Taintor - amazon.com, 6.http://www.etsy.com/shop/fashionfucsia, 7. amazon.com)

(Images from etsy.com: 1.kmaclean, 2. rcbowan1, 3. funkyrecycling, 4. frogpondstudio, 5. amaliaversaci, 6. momoma)  

Nicola Lopez: Urban Transformations

The Nicola Lopez exhibition at the Chazen closed Sunday and, like always, I waited until the last day to go.

If you ever have a chance to see her work, GO. Words can't describe it and these pictures don't do justice. Absolutely unbelievable.

(All images from nicolalopez.com)

1 Down, 364 To Go!

What better way to start the new year than by having a fun-filled day of shopping and eating with a friend?

My friend and I went out for a few hours to buy a bachelorette gift for our friend who is getting married very soon (we'll both be wearing this sweet bridesmaid dress). We got the cutest skivvies at Macy's and then the most gorgeous robe at Anthropologie (of course!). Is it not the perfect sweet & sexy robe for our lil' hippie bride??

(Image from http://adiaphane.blogspot.com) 

I sometimes just can't stand how perfect everything is in Anthropologie, including the actual store and it's design. Not everything is my style but I still absolutely love the colors and the details. But alas, the price tags are not perfect and my money should be spent in better ways.

After a pitstop in the suburbs (yes, you read that right) to fill our bellies we headed to Barnes & Noble and I finally broke down and bought this book that I always read whenever I go to a bookstore.  I want to go to (and live in!) Silver Lake and this is the closest I may get.

 

(Image from mocoloco.com)

Now, time to perfect my MixTape to send to friends.