Pinterest Monthly: April 2013

Everything. Wavy hair. Green clothes. Shades. Floral turban. Love this.

Lately, what my dream house looks like.

Becoming a fan of a more eclectic interior design aesthetic. Love the style of mismatched chairs.

Procol Harum. Coast to Coast AM brought me here.

 YSL Manifesto. I think I love you. The perfect everyday perfume. Vanilla.

Heirloom Modern by Hollister Hovey. Something to add to the bookshelf.

... Countdown to Gatsby ...

A Castle in Germany. Memories from a past life.

Giraffe Family. Love these animals.

They say his name is Nicolas Simoes. I like his face and hair.

A wedding dress I adore.

Made me laugh. Truth.



















Now Playing: My May 2013 Playlist!
*Coming very soon!

Music Monday: James Pants + Vex Ruffin = Krista

"Space Tom Test"



"I Told You Man, I Carry A Gun"




Any group/band/project that calls itself Krista is obviously fine by me.

Krista is James Pants and Vex Ruffin.

Their music can be purchased here.

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Animal Totem: Opossum

Opossum teaches the lesson of using and enhancing appearances and deceptions and illusions. He also aids in resting when needed (playing dead), and the art to act or behave in strategic manner as appearing to be fearful or fearless in spite of true feelings. Opossum gives courage to pretend for a while in order to cope with mental and spiritual constructs. He teaches wisdom and sensibility and knows when to fight if needed. Is it time to fight for things or to rest?

The opossum is a crafty animal that shows us how to play different roles. It knows when to act, when to hide, and when to show its true colors. Opossum is a master at recognizing truth as well as falsehood. When it wants attention it gets it. When it wants to be left alone it plays dead. It is a strategic animal that knows how to mold each situation according to its needs. It has the ability to decode hidden messages and read between the lines. 

A supreme actor, the opossum can be aggressive or submissive depending on the situation. The opossum knows that each situation has commonalities as well as differences and reflects on them carefully before it responds. This links the opossum to the energies of practicality and ingenuity. 

Always full of surprises and unpredictable opossums are masters at playing dead. When the time is right they can suddenly spring back to life. Playing dead is a self induced state in which the heartbeat actually slows and the pulse becomes minimal. This ability serves to confuse many predators giving the opossum an escape from life threatening situations.

Opossums are nocturnal and raise their young in a pouch on their mid section. The young are born blind and rely on their feelings to guide them to their destination. They learn to sense their way around at an early age developing strong instincts by the time they reach adulthood. These instincts are complimented by their inherent ability to disguise themselves. The opossum is a multifaceted actor that continually changes its appearance. It does not allow its emotions to consume its actions and partakes in the game of life with strategic maneuvers. Part of what the opossum teaches to those with this totem is emotional and mental stability. 

The opossum is a craftsman in the art of appearances. When it appears in your life it is telling you to wake up and pay attention. Things are not what they seem to be. By observing your actions, reactions, thoughts and feelings, deeper insights emerge. This emergence leads to self-empowerment.

I don't recall ever really seeing an opossum before. I'm sure I have on many occasions, just not very often. An interesting animal totem that I wanted to share.













Now Playing: "The Gaudy Side of Town" by Gayngs 
*The best of the best background music. Could play it all night long.

Countdown to Gatsby

With great anticipation for its theatrical release, I thought I'd share some Gatsby-esque blog posts. Enjoy this behind the scenes peek at the jewelry and costume designs associated with the film:

Rainy Day Playlist

1. "Shelter" by Ray LaMontagne
2. "Thank You" by Dido
3. "Riders on the Storm" by The Doors
4. "The Wolves (Act I and II") by Bon Iver
5. "Purple Rain" by Prince
6. "Dreams" by Fleetwood Mac
7. "Champagne Supernova" by Oasis
8. "Mighty" by Lord Huron
9. "My Dearest Friend" by Devendra Banhart
10. "The Funeral" by Band of Horses
11. "Sleep Forever" by Portugal. The Man
12. "The Suburbs" by Arcade Fire
13. "Blinding" by Florence + The Machine
14. "Ain't No Sunshine" by Bill Withers
15. "Fire and Rain" by James Taylor
16. "Brighter Than Sunshine" by Aqualung
17. "Lover, You Should've Come Over" by Jeff Buckley



There's nothing better on a rainy day than curling up with a cozy blanket and listening to some good music. Reading and watching movies are also great; but I have no problems with simply laying in bed all day and doing nothing but relaxing. Sleep is so much more soothing when you can hear the heavy rain hit the roof and windows. One of my favorite things in this world.

April Showers Bring May Flowers

1. NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Tender Night. Lavender Lips are beautiful for spring.
*Revlon Gumdrop Lip Butter is actually my go-to.
2. Waterproof Eyeliner. When it rains, it pours. Don't let your makeup smear.
3. Furla Candy Bag. I have this in Steel (Grey). One of my favorites. Love this color combo.
4. Rain Boots. A must-have for yucky days.
5. Clear Umbrella. A quintessential wet weather accessory.
6. Tea & the Paper. Or a Sugar Free Red Bull and the Internet. Whichever.
7. Records. When the weather keeps you inside. No better way to spend the afternoon.
*Rainy Day playlist? Coming soon.
8. The Great Gatsby. Reread before the movie comes out next month.
9. Updated Trench. Love all jackets with leather/faux leather sleeves.
10. Spring Fragrance. Chloe smells like roses in bloom.
11. Essie Turquoise & Caicos. One of my favorites. Mints and Pastels are also the best.














Now Playing: "Friday On My Mind" by The Easybeats
*Before there was Tame Impala, there was The Easybeats.

Happy Earth Day!

“It suddenly struck me that that tiny pea, pretty and blue, was the Earth. I put up my thumb and shut one eye, and my thumb blotted out the planet Earth. I didn't feel like a giant. I felt very, very small.” 
-Neil Armstrong

Music Monday: Kurt Vile

"Wakin On A Pretty Day"


"Baby's Arms"


"Heart Attack"







Kurt Vile is from Philadelphia. His latest album, Wakin On A Pretty Daze, can be purchased here.

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Steal the Look: Courtney Kerr

"Most people are other people. Their thoughts are someone else's opinions, their lives a mimicry, their passions a quotation."
-Oscar Wilde


I'm all for having your own sense of style. It's not very creative to get your entire look from someone else's closet. But every once in awhile, you get inspired but what you see on another person. Sometimes it's okay to borrow concepts. We all can't be the first or most original all of the time (or any of the time for that matter).

Courtney Kerr's style blog is a fun read. I really like this look she recently put together:

1. ASOS Floral Print Blazer. I would suggest getting this piece. The colors are beautiful and the price isn't too outrageous. But I'm sure you could find something similar at the mall. Thrift stores often have great printed jackets.

2. Square Sunglasses. The bigger the better. Courtney's are Chanel. If you can find some with similar chain detailing, you're set. I'm not a fan of spending a lot of money on sunglasses because I have bad luck in that department. Stolen, lost, broken, quickly go out of style, easy to find similar ones... too many reasons to pass on that expenditure. In my experience, cheapies are just as good, if not better.

3. Pink Lipstick. Courtney's sporting Nars Yu. Lipstick is something I never hesitate to throw money at but if you're tighter with spending in this area, Cover Girl Spellbound offers a similar look and it's excellent quality.

4. Little Black Dress. This look calls for something fitted. Courtney's appears to have an almost corseted sweetheart neckline. Just about any LBD would make for an excellent substitute.

5. Leather Pouch. I adore Courtney's personalized Rebecca Minkoff bag but American Apparel does a similar carry-all for $56. Better yet? They come in a ton of colors. Many places offer leather engraving. Add your own initials to capture the look.

6. Essie Fifth Avenue. This is the nail polish shown. Any red would look great but I do recommend Essie.













Now Playing: "Arizona" by Kings of Leon
*This came on the radio very early in the morning a couple weeks ago and I remembered how much I loved it.

Get Lit: A Few Magazines

May Details, April & May American Vogue

I've always loved reading magazines. I could spend hours getting lost in their content. One of the reasons I didn't want a tablet device was because I prefer to have the print editions of my books and magazines. There's something special about flipping through the pages, smelling the perfume ads, taking notes in the margins and having it to keep on your bookshelf. 

When I was little, I would cut up my subscriptions and make my own magazine creations. I'd write articles and pretend I was a fashion/beauty editor. I remember putting scotch tape over the pages I did myself to try and mimic the glossy effect. We didn't have a laminating machine at the Roman residence.

Having this blog and using sites like Polyvore allow me to feel like that little girl in her bedroom, dreaming of bigger things. Real magazines are my touch of nostalgia and I hope they never cease to exist in the publishing world.

Now Playing: "Don't Swallow the Cup" by The National

*So good!

Recently Purchased

Here are some new additions to my collection of things I didn't really need but wanted:

1. Chloe Green/Gold Aviator Sunglasses.
Scored these beautiful sunnies for an unbeatable steal. HauteLook is my crack.

2. Elizabeth Arden Beautiful Color Luminous Lip Gloss in Precious Petal.
I don't own anything else from the brand but the formula and color of this is nice for easy, everyday wear. The built in mirror on the packaging is convenient but not the clearest.

3. YSL Manifesto Eau de Parfum.
The vanilla notes sold me. I'm still on the quest for the perfect signature scent for my late 20s. Maybe this one will fit the bill?

4. Too Faced Candlelight Glow.
I can never ignore a chandelier- even if it's just embossed on makeup. The only product I had from Too Faced was the Shadow Insurance (which I swear by). I love the packaging, color and formulation on this. A beautiful highlighter.

5. Hologram Satchel.
I got this from Nasty Gal. I've mentioned before that I'm all for the holographic trend. I have a cute wallet from Urban Outfitters that I admittedly have yet to use. But I couldn't resist this bag. It reminds me so much of the shape and style of purses I used to wear in grade school back in the mid-nineties.

6. The National at Stage AE.
One of my favorite bands. I'm so excited to see them again live. It's on the birthday of one of my best friends, so it should be a really fun night out! Also can't wait to hear their new album, Trouble Will Find Me.













Now Playing: "Until We Bleed" by Lykke Li

Luxe Living: The Book Nook

“I declare after all there is no enjoyment like reading! How much sooner one tires of any thing than of a book! When I have a house of my own, I shall be miserable if I have not an excellent library.” 
-Jane Austen

Whether you're a fan of whimsical fairy tales, epic novels or an avid nonfiction reader, everyone deserves a special place to curl up with their favorite piece of literature. A book nook is a creative way to add a personal touch to your home. You don't need a monstrous library or an entire room but a small corner of the house makes for a relaxing spot to unwind.

A simple bookshelf, lamp, cozy chair, throw pillow and blanket are a great place to start. I like to burn a candle and often listen to soft music while I read, so a table and nearby power sockets are also convenient.














Now Playing: Classical WQED
*Love to listen to classical music while I read or take a bath :)

A Touch of Spring

Now Playing: "I Found a Way" by First Aid Kit

Quoteworthy

via The Boston Globe:
A photo of Martin Richard, the 8-year-old boy killed in the Marathon bombing, holding this sign has come to symbolize the tragedy worldwide.

Like Totally For Sure: January-April 2013

New blog feature alert! Since I'm such a nail polish hoarder, I thought I'd periodically share all the colors I've been wearing. If you're wondering where the title of this post came from, you probably weren't a cheerleader in the '90s. If memory serves, the notorious cheer that I got the blog title from went something like this...

Like totally, for sure

I just got a manicure

The sun, I swear

is bleaching out my gorgeous hair

24-34? I don't even know the score

Go-Go, Fight-Fight

Gee, I hope I look all right!

According to my Pinterest, here are a good amount of the nail polishes I've worn so far in 2013 (in no particular order):

Chanel Vertigo

OPI My Vampire Is Buff

China Glaze Dress Me Up

The Balm Hot Ticket Candy Apple a Day

OPI A Butterfly Moment

Essie A Crewed Interest

Revlon Smoldering

Nicole by OPI Kim-pletely in Love

OPI Parle-Vous OPI?

OPI What's with the Cattitude?

Layla Hologram Mercury Twilight

OPI Ate Berries in the Canaries

Orly Luxe

Milani Gold

Chanel Fracas

Barielle Elle's Spell

Zoya Sofia

Julep Marion

Essie Power Clutch

Essie Fiji

Chanel Frenzy

Zoya Neely

OPI Don't Pretzel My Buttons

Best Color: OPI What's with the Cattitude?, OPI Parle-Vous OPI?, Essie A Crewed Interest, Zoya Neely, OPI My Vampire is Buff, OPI Don't Pretzel My Buttons, Chanel Frenzy
Most Flattering: OPI Don't Prezel My Buttons, Nicole by OPI Kim-pletely In Love
Most Fun to Wear: Layla Hologram, Orly Luxe, Milani Gold
Most Likely to Never Wear Again: The Balm Hot Ticket Candy Apple a Day
Best Application: Orly Luxe, OPI Don't Pretzel My Buttons
Longest Wearing: OPI Don't Pretzel My Buttons, Milani Gold
Most Compliments: OPI Ate Berries In the Canaries, OPI What's with the Cattitude?, Milani Gold

WINNER: OPI Don't Pretzel My Buttons











Now Playing: "Purple Yellow Red and Blue" by Portugal. The Man
*So excited for the new album! :)