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Makeup Monday

Like many girls I know, I have what can only be described as a "foot thing". I just don't like feet; something about them creeps me out and gives me the heebs-geebs (AKA the heebie-geebies). I'd rather have my feet hidden away in shoes, but as it is Summertime, this is not always comfortable, stylish, or appropriate (heels on the beach just look redic). 

And so the best way to make feet appear not so "gross" and more presentable is to lacquer those toenails. 

Confesh: I wear the same color on my toes the whole sandal season; I paint it on carefully once, and then just continue to layer on the coats as it chips or loses its luster. If it starts to get noticeably uneven, then I might remove the polish and reapply, but usually it is just layer upon layer.

The color I have selected as "the one" for the summer of 2011 is Bachelorette Bash by essie.

The colour is a rich fuchsia that is slightly darker than your average summery hot pink. It is the perfect summer pedi color. Also: don't worry that your toenail color is clashing with your ensemble (except for special occasions. For those, always match or compliment). While a mani should at least not clash with your outfit, a pedi looks just fine (maybe even better) when it doesn't "go".

Covet: Liberty Wrap Watch

I have always been a big fan of Liberty of London's world famous prints. Often employed by J. Crew, these tiny floral prints adorn everything from scarves to blouses to bikini's, and now, this adorbs wristwatch.

So cute, right? Such a simple way to jazz up a weekend look of jeans and a tee; it could also add some personality to an otherwise conservative office look.

Purchase one of your very own here.

I’ve recently become enchanted with this really adorable online mag, Matchbook.

Launched in January of this year, this darling monthly strives to “inspire women around the globe to design a life they adore”. 

Isn’t that just charming?

The current issue.

Matchbook is like a cocktail of my favorite stores and designers: the preppiest side of J.Crew, shaken with some Kate Spade and a dash of Lilly Pulitzer.

Head on over to Matchbook and read an issue or two...or six.

Wedding Wednesday

Welcome to my first Wedding Wednesday!

We all know there is no shortage of DIY wedding blogs out there. However, if you’re not a burlap and ball jars kind of gal you are kind of outta luck. Both of my older sisters have gotten married in the past couple of years and done so in very DIY manners in two completely different (yet equally beautiful) styles.

 Em held a small wedding on the beach. There will be more on location later, but let’s talk flowers.

Em's colors were hot pink and orange, and these colors came together beautifully in the flowers. 

As Em's wedding was in a semi-remote location (a small town surrounded by other small towns), a florist was not really an option. So we tuned to the place everyone turns when they need mass quantities of anything: Costco.

{Spiering Photography}

You can order specific blooms through Costco, and they will be delivered to your chosen store. You can also talk with an in-store florist, who can tell you which flowers will be likely be available near your wedding date. This is the option Em decided on; a day or so before the wedding, she headed to Costco and purchased a whole bunch of roses and daises in pink, white and orange. We kept these flowers in a cool location until the morning of the wedding.

{Spiering Photography}

Our very dear friends arrived early and acted as flower arrangers, gathering the choicest blooms into bouquets and then wrapping the stems in grosgrain ribbon, Martha Stewart style. They selected blooms and small sprays for the groom's and groomsmen's boutonnieres, and made small corsages, nosegay's and additional boutonnieres for special guests (parent's and grandparent's of the bride and groom).

So beautiful! Such a wonderful example of how you don't need an expensive florist to make your wedding-day flowers dream-worthy.

Happy 4th of July everyone!

I hope you have a blast celebrating with family and friends.

Portland is finally enjoying some warm (even hot!) temperatures, so I decided to break out a very patriotic dress for the family barbecue and fireworks I'll be enjoying tonight.

{Clearly, I was born to model}

My favorite parts about this dress are the pockets; perfect for stashing a tube of my favorite chap-stick, or, (as one of mine currently is) hiding a handkerchief for those summer sniffles. While I usually love to wear my hair down and luxurious, I decided to put it up today since it's supposed to be rather hot.

Have a wonderful Independence Day!

Makeup Monday

I adore summer time and the break it brings from Oregon’s nearly ever-present rain. However, when the mercury rises it can cause carefully applied eye makeup to melt right off. The result is streaked and smeared makeup, with eyeliner migrating up near your temples. (If you have seasonal allergies, all that sneezing just compounds the problem).

The best way to prevent (and almost elimnate) eye-makeup creep is to use waterproof eyeliner and mascara. My fave eyeliner is Maybelline's "Unstoppable Eyeliner". These products will be much less likely to smear or run in the heat. I am a self-professed mascara junkie, so allow me to share a couple of my favorite (waterproof) types:

 {Left} Cover Girl's "Lash Blast" is just a really really good everyday mascara. The brush bristles are rubber, and make your lashes seem huge. You can also just pile this stuff on; if you seem to need a little more later in the day, just add a few more coats.

Buy it here.

Maybelline's "Volum' Express The Falsies" {at right} is amazing. It really looks like you are wearing false lashes! When I am running late or don't have the time (or desire) to apply a whole "look" for my eyes, I'll just curl my lashes and apply a couple coats of this.

This baby is my (current) favorite lash aid.

Buy it here.

And when I am feeling the need to turn up the intensity on my lashes, I use Maybelline's "Volum' Express The falsies: Black Drama" {pictured left}. A little thicker than the original version (above), it takes your lashes to the next level.

Buy it here.

Tip: To prevent clumps and aid in lash-sepreration, wiggle the wand ever so slightly at the base of your lashes, than swoosh it up through to the tips. Repeat a few times. Every other "swoosh" or so, roll the brush as you go up through your lashes. This will help ensure every lash is coated.