Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Just Let Me Be Your Ticket Home

"You Ain't Alone" by Alabama Shakes.




This one stopped me in my tracks. I was listening to YouTube videos but had the window minimized. This song was used in one of the advertisements that plays before the video. I instantly fell in love with it and had to find out the artist and title.

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Nail Polishes of the Moment: Bronzed & Bright

Warm and Fozzie by OPI (Image via Google)

For Thanksgiving weekend, I painted my nails with OPI's Warm and Fozzie from the 2011 Holiday Collection (The Muppets). I absolutely love bronze nail polishes and was excited to try this one out. There is a world of difference between the first and second coats of this polish. I used 3 to achieve full opacity. It wore for about a week without really chipping and I was happy with the results (lots of compliments on this one). I was hoping it would have more dimension (in a lot of the swatch pictures I saw online, it almost appeared to have an ombre effect) but it's still a beautiful shade for fall.



Peridot by Chanel (Image via Google)

Today, I finally used my new Chanel polish in Peridot. I told myself I would never splurge on a Chanel polish unless I found an extremely unique color that didn't have a dupe from a cheaper brand. I only bought this because it wouldn't likely be matched by an alternative polish. Peridot is a unique green/gold shade. I thought it would be a nice transitional color to wear from fall into the holiday season. Let's just say that I love to look at it in the bottle but on my nails and against my very cool, fair skin, it leaves a bit to be desired. The application is tricky. It definitely shows brush strokes and every mistake (pretty standard for Chanel). On the plus side, one coat will work fine which is convenient but I did two in hopes that the color would become a bit darker- it didn't. This is certainly not a buildable polish. In some lighting, it appears like a yellowed gold and in others it switches to a greened/gold with the ever so slightest touch of blue. It's definitely not a pedicure color (I feel it would look like a toe fungus). As much as I want to lovvvve this, the color/effect seems a bit dated to me (80s/90s). But it is original and for that, it earns many points. I will try this again in the spring with whites/creams/neutral clothing (I think it might look nice this way) but I wouldn't repurchase.












Now Playing: "Where Is My Mind" by Pixies

Monday, November 28, 2011

Word of the Week: SPLENETIC

The word of the week for November 28th through December 4th is...

SPLENETIC
adj.

Definition: Marked by bad temper, malevolence, or spite.

Example: His seasonal affective disorder caused him to act in a splenetic manner towards his family and friends.











Now Playing: "Big Jet Plane" by Lady of the Sunshine

Look of the Moment: Bold Color, Stripes & Animal Print



Last night, I played with my look a bit and put together some unexpected patterns. For the Watch the Throne concert, I paired my favorite bright blue skinny jeans from Urban Outfitters (BDG) with a striped, black & white cotton blazer (Whitney Eve) and a leopard print scarf. I wore my black, suede wedge booties (Express) and black Paul & Joe Sister Bag (scored for a great deal on Gilt). For jewelry, I kept it simple like always and wore my large pearl stud earrings that I haven't shown much love to in ages. I really liked the way it all came together!















Now Playing: "Lost in Confusion" by Graveyard

Saturday, November 26, 2011

Steel City Sunset



There was a gorgeous sunset tonight in Pittsburgh. My terrible BlackBerry Storm camera didn't come close to capturing its full beauty but I still liked the shot. Sunset is such a magical time of the day. It's a shame that it only lasts for mere moments.











Now Playing: "Evening" by Sugar Ray and the Bluetones
*Heard this beauty tonight on WYEP. Loved it!

Back to the Future

For some reason the band Sugarcult came to mind and I decided to play one of their songs that I haven't heard in ages. I listened to "Pretty Girl" a lot in high school. When I scrolled down to read some of the comments on the YouTube video, I laughed at this one...

Friday, November 25, 2011

Black Friday Breakdowns

I don't do Black Friday (at least not the traditional way). Throughout the year, I get the majority of things I need/want at majorly discounted prices (thrift stores, flash designer sale sites, eBay, etc.). While I'm fully nocturnal and love to shop, the idea of losing my life in a Black Friday twilight stampede at the local mall is nightmare-inducing. While you won't catch me being interviewed for the 4 am news about how I just have to grab that last 60" television, I do partake in cyber shopping. All the sales and none of the crowds, you say? Yes, please. But one thing the crazed Black Friday brick and mortar shoppers have over the digital divas is that the mall can actually accommodate "heavy traffic" (if you don't mind a splitting headache and the risk of being smothered to death).

After I successfully ordered a few discounted candles from Bath and Body Works online, I electronically tiptoed over to Sephora but was greeted with the lovely little messages that I captured above and below. The site crashed. While others were probably having panic attacks as to whether or not they would be able to snatch that perfect shade of lipstick for the holiday season, I was cool with it. I already ordered a few packages this month from the beauty mecca (the early shopaholic gets the UPS man first). I needed absolutely nothing from Sephora but am always tempted to buy something new.

While the websites are crashing and you're thinking of putting the keys in the ignition and taking it back to the '90s to shop the old fashioned way- reconsider. Maybe the universe is doing you (and your wallet) a favor!













Now Playing: "Collect Call" by Metric

Flashback Friday

"I Want to Know What Love Is" by Foreigner, 1984.



I recently read the question, "What song do you secretly belt out when you're alone?" Of course, "I Want to Know What Love Is", immediately came to mind. It's cheesy. It's embarrassing. But it's enduring. I think it's beautiful. I really love this song and appreciate the longing that you hear in Mick Jones' voice. Despite having a rather obvious '80s feel, to me, it is timeless. And yes, I too, want to know what love is...

Thursday, November 24, 2011

Missed Connections: MGMT Edition





Andrew VanWyngarden (my birthday soul mate), I know you once lived in Pittsburgh. Is this you?!

PS: Love the spelling! ;)











Now Playing: Take one guess

Gobble, Gobble


The only turkeys I ate today were these little guys. I'm pretty much a vegetarian but these sugar cookies from Priory Fine Pastries were yummy! :)













Now Playing: "Stay" by Diego Garcia

American Greetings

Here is the adorable card that my Mom gave me for Thanksgiving. You can always count on cards to have gingers on them! Thank you, cartoonists and animators of the world! :)














Now Playing: "Let Me Go" by Phantogram

Luxe Living: A CORNUCOPIA OF STYLE























Happy Thanksgiving!








Now Playing: "Her Morning Elegance" by Oren Lavie

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Wobble-dy Wobble-dy Wa!



"Dance (Ass)" by Big Sean ft. Nicki Minaj (Remix)

So I'm infatued with this song. It makes me miss hip hop dance classes and cheerleading practices. I'm sure this would have been worked into our competition music. It also reminds me of New Orleans for some reason. I'd love to be on Bourbon Street right now but I think I may be going back for Mardi Gras.

Life in a Day

I came across this profound film on Netflix. It documents the lives of various individuals throughout the world over the course of one day (July 24, 2010). It's a beautiful timecapsule of a movie that will be wonderful for future generations to watch. I wish there were this type of documentation from the many monumental moments throughout history. In particular, I would be enamored by video footage from the Renaissance era!































Now Playing: "Tin Tin Deo" by Dizzy Gillespie

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Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
I'm living life in beautiful Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. I hold a journalism degree from West Virginia University. I have worked in television news, fashion marketing, PR, and cosmetic sales. My love for writing and sharing with the world my various passions is strong. One of my many ambitions is to be published and continue creating in the fields of digital and print media, literature and film. In my free time, I enjoy listening to music, going to concerts, reading, following Pittsburgh sports and traveling as often as possible. Some of my favorite things include beauty, style, architecture, books, tarot and astrology, thrifting and my shih-tzu, Ireland. I’m engaged to the love of my lifetimes and we look forward to starting our next chapter together. If you have any questions or comments, I would love to hear from you!