Friday, August 30, 2013

Pinterest Monthly: August 2013


Blue Velvet Sofa. Need to find one of these beauties! In love.


Like this little DIY. Spray paint those classic magnetized alphabet letters an updated color. Of course, I fixate on gold but a metallic silver or sleek black would also look nice depending on the look of your fridge. Stainless steel and silver probably wouldn't be the best pairing.


Another DIY that I have to do! Just get some small geodes, gemstones or rocks and adhere them to standard bottle stoppers. Similar pieces go for a pretty penny. Gorgeous for wine nights or a bar cart.


Erin Fetherston recently curated a collection on one of my new favorite design/decor sites, One Kings Lane. She has impeccable taste. One of the things that stood out to me was her love of vintage Florentine. You can find a really nice selection of various pieces on eBay.


On my to-read list! I need to start doing more Get Lit posts. Book reviews, especially.


That Tyler Knott Gregson and his way with words. He's the poet laureate of the internet.


I saw this print when I was watching a YouTube closet tour. Yes, I spend my time watching strangers show what they have inside their homes. Anyway, this made me laugh. For most women, this certainly seems to be the case.


I'm loving black and kelly green for fall. I still need to find a hat like this one that suits me but unfortunately, I'm thinking I just might not be able to pull it off. You kinda have to be 6'0" to get away with the street urchin look.

I'm on a bit of a "no buy" until the holidays. No more makeup. No more clothes. No more shoes. No more purses. With a few allotted exceptions for travel, of course. But this shearling handbag trend (along with shearling shoes, coats, etc.) that Proenza Schouler kickstarted has me on the hunt.


I've recently discovered the Lime Crime brand. The unicorn packaging sold me. I picked up the lipstick shade Geradium. Love it!


These are a few of my favorite things. Need to have this in my closet.


Doesn't this gorgeous stretch of coastal roadway in New Zealand just make you want to go for a long drive in a convertible with good music and even better company? Sigh...


And those two. Fuck those two.


Biltmore House in Asheville, North Carolina. The largest private residence in America. Would love to take a trip down to beautiful Asheville and check this place out.


A Moroccan leather pouf, an elegant tray with some feminine votives... and I'm in a trance.


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Now Playing: "The Last Prom On Earth" by Gayngs
*Gotta have mad love for any song that can romanticize The Dollar General! ;)

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Recently Purchased

RecentlyPurchased




1. Guerlain Meteorites Pearls (Rose) and Brush.
I've really been getting into the notion of quality over quantity and trying to edit down my makeup collection. I love the weight of this product. It's beautifully packaged and so well made. I could easily repurpose it for trinket storage when I'm through with the makeup or even hold onto it as a keepsake to be passed on. Guerlain is the best of the best.

2. The xx Concert Tickets at Stage AE.
I haven't seen them since Bonnaroo a few summers ago. I'm so excited! They're one of my favorite groups. Such beautiful music. They've become quite popular but if you haven't heard of them, check out "Intro", Crystalised", "Islands" or "Together."

3. MUJI Acrylic 5-Drawer Organizer.
I purchased one of these a couple years ago and really like it for storing my lip glosses. I don't really have the counter space for another one at the moment but I know around the holidays they tend to go out of stock and are slow with delivery. I bought an additional unit because my eyeliner collection has grown substantially. I want to be able to see every piece that I own. I highly recommend the MUJI drawers. They are sturdy, smooth and overall fantastic. If I ever have more space, I might invest in The Clear Cube for storing a great deal of my entire makeup collection but for now, these things are lightweight and efficient.

4. Steelers/Patriots Game Tickets.
I'm so excited to go to Boston for the first time! Per usual, Halloween weekend should be quite memorable. I look forward to our annual Steeler away trip all year long. This one will also be a blast. I haven't decided what I'm going to be yet or if I'm even going to dress up in a costume at all but I'm thrilled to finally see Salem and other parts of New England.

5. The September Issue. Vogue.
Well, technically I have a subscription so I didn't buy this at the newsstand. But every year for as long as I can remember, I have enjoyed a glass of wine (or a few) and reading this. I have a collection of September issues that I'm always looking to build upon. This year, one of my favorite actresses is on the cover, Jennifer Lawrence. I adore her real life sense of humor and loved her in Silver Linings Playbook.

6. A Blank Canvas.
As mentioned above, I've been trying to scale down a number of things in my life. One that has gotten desperately out of control is my nail polish collection. I had amassed nearly 500 bottles. I told myself I would never let it go above that number so I've donated many bottles, given some to friends and family and put others away to sell. When I get my collection whittled down to where I'm comfortable with it, I plan on painting a swatch mural. One of the reasons I love polish so much is because they remind me of miniature works of beauty. Art in a bottle. I'm very open-minded (as you'd have to be to acquire so many different colors) and love to look at all of the different shades, textures and shapes.

7. Shiseido Wrinkle Resist 24 Night Emulsion.
I've really been appreciating Japanese beauty products. Their quality and packaging are among the best in the world. They pay such close attention to detail. I wish I could go to one of their drug stores or spend time inside their shops. I actually got a Japanese Maybelline Hello Kitty mascara on eBay because I found it so precious. Americans can be so square when it comes to presentation. I really like Shiseido's skincare line. I still have their Future Solution cream on my wish list but for the time being, I'm trying out their Wrinkle Resist 24 range of products.

8. Urban Decay Glitter Liners.
As much as I love makeup (eyeliner in particular), I've only owned one or two glitter liners. I tried out Urban Decay's Spandex and fell in love. I picked up that along with Mullet, Midnight Cowboy and Stagedive. This is stunning for the evening!
















Now Playing: "Junk of the Heart" by The Kooks
*Wish they'd come back to Pittsburgh. Luke Pritchard stole my heart.

Monday, August 26, 2013

Music Monday: ฿lank ฿anshee


"Photosynthesis"


"Cyber Zodiac"


"Teen Pregnancy"


"Wavestep"


 ฿lank ฿anshee is a music producer from Vancouver, Canada. His album, Blank Banshee 0, can be purchased here.


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Saturday, August 24, 2013

The 90s Kid Tag!



1.Favorite Disney channel original movie? 
Zenon: Girl of the 21st Century. I also really liked Smart House and Brink!



2. Favorite music artist? 
In the 90s, I was all about bubblegum pop, R&B and gangster rap. I also started to get into rock. Such an eclectic mix. Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, Britney Spears, Inner Circle, Boyz II Men, The Cardigans, Puff Daddy, Ma$e, The Pretenders, Oasis, Dave Matthews Band, Master P, Ace of Base, The Cranberries, boy bands... the list is endless. I'll have to get around to making a 90s playlist with some of my favorite songs.



3. Favorite Nick Jr. show?

Not sure if most of these count as "Jr." shows but Nickelodeon was definitely one of my favorite channels. I loved Salute Your Shorts, Are You Afraid of the Dark?Wild and Crazy Kids, Double Dare, Hey Dude, Pete and Pete, Clarissa Explains It AllLegends of the Hidden Temple, Little Bear, Rugrats, Doug, Guts (Global Guts), David the Gnome, Nick Arcade...



4. Favorite candy?

Dunkaroos, Chiclets Gum, Fruit by the Foot, Ring Pops...
















5. Favorite game? (board game, school game, etc.)
Mall Madness, Nightmare, Girl Talk, Dream Phone, Hi Ho! Cherry-O, Guess Who?, Monopoly, Pretty Pretty Princess, Candy Land, Shoots and Ladders, Life, Thin Ice, Checkers, Paper Football, Mash, Paper Fortune Cookies, Back Off! Buzzard... Kickball at recess. Loved hockey. Cheered for football and basketball. 



6. Favorite McDonald's Happy Meal toy?

I liked them because it came in a cute little box but I can't really remember any specific ones. I liked Wendy's better.

7. Favorite book?
Goosebumps, Clifford, Kenny and the Little Kickers, Shel Silverstein, The Wizard of Oz, Sarah, Plain and Tall, Where's Waldo?, Magic Eye, American Girl... Every month we'd get a catalog in school and I'd always order a ton of books. I remember when the packages would come, I'd carry a huge box home on the school bus. I loved reading and getting the items delivered :) There was also the Book-It program that combined reading with one of my other greatest loves- Pizza Hut!



























8. Favorite clothing store?
Claire's and Afterthoughts were my favorite stores but not for clothes. I knew the sales girls by name because I was at the mall all the time. I loved Contempo Casuals for pleather pants, platforms and crop tops. I also frequented the very random (and now defunct) store called Weathervane for more casual pieces. I mostly shopped at Kaufmann's department store (now Macy's) or Lazarus (now Macy's, no longer there) for nicer clothes. It was all about baggy jeans, bell-bottoms, Starter jackets, Tommy Hilfiger and Esprit.

I had this top and also rocked it with overalls:


















9. What would you watch when you'd get home from school?
Total Request Live when I was in middle school. Mister Roger's Neighborhood was a favorite when I was little. I remember reruns from The Brady Bunch were usually on around 4 when I was younger and Saved by the Bell aired around dinner time. Rosie O'Donnell, Ricki Lake and the like also had daytime talk shows. All of the Nickelodeon shows I mentioned above. I'm sure I'm forgetting a bunch.



10. Favorite T.V Show? 

Full House, Saved by the Bell, Salute Your ShortsAvonlea, Anne of Green GablesDariaThe Wonder Years, Home Improvement, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Are You Afraid of the Dark?, Under the Umbrella Tree, Mama's Family (reruns), Super Market Sweep... there's way too many!



11. Favorite Toys?

Barbie Dolls, Little People, Skip It, Polly Pocket, Water Babies, Baby Shivers, Magic Nursery Dolls, Magic 8 Ball, My Buddy Doll, "Pet Surprise" (Puppy Surpirse, Kitty Surpirse, etc. I had so many), board games, Sega Genesis, Nintendo... I could go on and on...!






















12. Favorite Commercials? 
This was a local commercial but I loved the jingle! They still use it!
"Century III Chevrolet, Lebanon Church Road, Pittsburgh. Minutes from the mall!"



& because of my love for Devon Sawa... "It's Nerf or Nothin'!"



13. Nsync or Backstreet Boys? 

I liked both of them and had all of their CDs but I was more of an 'N Sync fan.

14. Weirdest Fashion Trend? 

The plastic clip you would pull your t-shirts through to knot them on the side back in the early 90s. That, paired with neon bicycle shorts. Then in the late 90s, wearing baggy jeans and FUBU.























15. Favorite Collectible? 
These aren't a collectible but I recently found a girl on eBay who makes them, FLUFFY PENS! as inspired by the movie Clueless. I used these and milky pens exclusively from about 4th-7th grade. I'll do a blog post soon. I mostly collected stickers and rocks.





















16. Favorite Beanie Baby? 
I've always loved teddy bears but I never really got into beanie babies. They were pretty expensive. I was more focused on buying purses and jewelry (not much has changed). I loved to get gifts for my friends. I told them that my parents were expected to win millions from Publishers Clearing House and in no time, money would be no object. Still waiting on that check, Ed McMahon!

The infamous Prize Patrol:



















17. How many Tomagotchis did you go through?
I think I had one but couldn't figure out how to use it. I remember having a Koala Giga Pet that did nothing but munch on leaves and go the bathroom. I had a living, breathing shih-tzu that I loved so I quickly got bored with the virtual insanity.























18. Favorite Game System? and game?
It's a toss-up between Nintendo Super Mario Bros and Sonic the Hedgehog from Sega Genesis. I spent hours playing on those!














Now Playing: "Rush Rush" by Paula Abdul
*Early 90s magic! One of my first favorite songs.

Friday, August 23, 2013

Fill In the Blank Friday: 10 Songs... A Music Questionnaire


1. A song you like with a color in the title:
"A Whiter Shade of Pale" by Procol Harum. Such a beauty.


2. A song you like with a number in the title:
"21 Questions" by 50 Cent. Bam! That's a title and an artist. Bonus points?


3. A song that reminds you of summertime:
"Baby, I Love Your Way" by Big Mountain. Takes me back to the summers of my childhood.


4. A song that reminds you of someone you would rather forget about:
"You Won't Be Mine" by Matchbox Twenty. This one was difficult. I don't really have too many people I want to erase from my memory.


5. A song that needs to be played LOUD:
"Hang You From the Heavens" by The Dead Weather. I'm not really a loud music type of girl but I love this band. One of the best live shows I've seen (Bonnaroo '10). I have a major crush on Jack White and Alison Mosshart is phenomenal. 


6. A song that makes you want to dance:
"I Won't Kneel" by Groove Armada (definitely a dance by yourself type of tune). The buildup at the end is fantastic. 


7. A song to drive to:
"I Love It" by Icona Pop. Easy to find on the radio. There's more bridges here in Pittsburgh than anywhere else in the world so let's hope this doesn't turn into a self-fulfilling prophecy.


8. A song about drugs or alcohol:
"Champagne Supernova" by Oasis. One of my drinks of choice. A site that I'd like to see.


9. A song that makes you happy.
"Country Roads" by John Denver. My college's anthem that played after every home game and at many bars around midnight. So many wonderful memories.


10. A song that makes you sad:
"Who You'd Be Today" by Kenny Chesney. 
It ain't fair you died too young like a story that had just begun but death tore the pages all away.
Those lyrics never fail to bring a tear to my eye.












Sun in Virgo, August 23 - September 22



Personal attributes that those with Sun in Virgo (or strong Virgo placement in their chart) may possess:

  • Perfectionists
  • Orderly
  • Authoritative
  • Safe
  • Reliable
  • Cold
  • Observant
  • Calm
  • Outdoorsy
  • Analytical
  • Skeptical
  • Detached
  • Independent
  • Critical
  • Rough
  • Adventurous
  • Powerful
  • Strong
  • Silent
  • Intelligent
  • Meticulous
  • Pessimistic
  • Scientific
  • Precise
  • Vain
  • Materialistic
  • Practical
  • Ruled
  • Obsessive
  • Judgmental
  • Image
  • Organized
  • Attractive
  • Quirky
  • Thinkers
  • Talented
  • Planners
  • Achievers
  • Internal
  • Worriers
  • Gifted
  • Reserved
  • Conservative
  • Cautious
  • Disciplined
  • Athletic
  • Honest
  • Hard Working
  • Followers
  • Arrogant
  • Confident
  • Focused

Famous Sun in Virgos:

  • Michael Jackson
  • Keanu Reeves
  • Beyonce Knowles
  • Cameron Diaz
  • Rachel Zoe
  • Sean Connery
  • Prince Harry
  • Pippa Middleton
  • Amy Winehouse
  • Fiona Apple
  • Charlie Sheen
  • Sofia Loren
  • Stephen King
  • Pink
  • Niall Horan
  • Nick Jonas
  • River Phoenix
  • Tom Hardy
  • Faith Hill
  • Michelle Williams
  • Blake Lively
  • Warren Buffett
  • Lance Armstrong
  • Tim Burton
  • Oliver Stone
  • Twiggy
  • Moby
  • Jason Priestley
  • Alexander Skarsgard
  • Evan Rachel Wood
  • Mickey Rourke
  • Leonard Cohen
  • Kobe Bryant
  • Andy Roddick
  • Jennifer Hudson
  • Adam Sandler
  • Karl Lagerfeld
  • John McCain
  • Bill O'Reilly
  • Paul Walker
  • Ryan Phillippe
  • LeAnn Rimes
  • Gene Simmons
  • Jeremy Irons
  • Liam Gallagher
  • Macaulay Culkin
  • Leo Tolstoy
  • Bill Murray
  • Luke Wilson
  • Jimmy Fallon
  • Maria Montessori
  • Roald Dahl
  • Dr. Phil
  • Wiz Khalifa
  • Van Morrison

If you're interested in finding out your own personal natal chart (free!), have your date, time and place of birth ready and click here.
*Cusp dates are approximate by year.













Now Playing: "Maggie May" by Rod Stewart
*Nice little Virgo song.

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Quoteworthy

"We know little of the things for which we pray."
-Geoffrey Chaucer 1343-1400











Now Playing: "The Letter" by The Box Tops

Monday, August 19, 2013

Music Monday: Misty Miller


"Next To You"


"Evergreen Love"


"Vampire"


"Happy Together"


Misty Miller is from London. Her EP, Next To You, can be purchased here.

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Sunday, August 18, 2013

Nail Me

Summer13PolishPicks



Even though Summer is winding down, I thought I'd share my Summer nail polish picks that I neglected to post earlier. As you can see from my collage, I've really been enjoying blues, teals and metal based polishes this season.

Top Row:

Essie Bikini So Teeny: This beautiful periwinkle shade with slight silver shimmer is a stunner. A must-have for any collection.


Chanel Bel Argus: A gorgeous metallic blue that could work year-round. I love this!


Pop Jade Metal: I'm actually wearing this one right now. I picked it up on HauteLook and I'm glad I did. It's a very unique mint green metal.


Essie Turquoise and Caicos: This is a classic that always provides many compliments. This is a favorite among many nail polish addicts and it's easy to see why. The jelly-like formula is also a dream. One of my best.


OPI My Vampire Is Buff: This is actually a repeat from my Spring picks. I didn't mean to choose the same color but this is just a generalization. I'm loving all whites and creams. They also play really well with glitters.



Bottom Row:

Orly Orange Punch: I don't actually own this shade but I picked it because it represents something every girl should have- a neon orange! I have quite a lot of oranges (Julep makes great ones, OPI A Roll in the Hague, Essie Capri, Color Club Lava Lamp to name just a few).


Chanel Azure: I was really excited to get this one. It's another gorgeous metallic. It's an original blue/green shade that reminds me of a tropical island. Love!


Urban Decay Addiction: This might be my favorite packaging/bottle out of all of my polishes. The chrome skull at the top is very Alexander McQueen. The color and even the name is right up my alley. This is a limited edition item so be sure to snag it while you can.


Orly Preamp: This is a happy polish for me. I just smile when I look at it. The pinkish lavender hue with gold shimmer is uncommon yet attractive. I don't think I own anything else that's similar in my collection.


OPI When Monkeys Fly: I've been loving gold glitters with holographic particles. Deborah Lippmann Glitter and Be Gay is one that I'm anxious to get this week. This goes nicely over whites and other golds. It will carry over beautifully into the fall and holiday season.













Now Playing: "The First Cut Is The Deepest" by P.P. Arnold
*The original!

Flick Pick: Safety Not Guaranteed




Apparently Safety Not Guaranteed came out last year but I don't remember ever seeing any trailers or hearing a thing about it. I'm really glad that I stumbled upon it on Netflix. Simply put, this was one of the most outstanding films I've seen in quite some time. It was completely original and the type of screenplay that I'd want to write. In fact, the movie itself reminded me of a Missed Connections ad that I posted here on my blog a couple years back (check it out here).

Charming, funny and surprisingly profound, I would definitely recommend seeing Safety Not Guaranteed. The cast was superb. This is a movie for people with an open mind and a longing for the past. If you've ever had your heart broken or known pain of any kind- the type of wound that time didn't seem to heal, this movie will capture that feeling. You'll finish with a sense that you're not in this thing alone.










Now Playing: "Shake" by The Head and the Heart
*This song fits the film perfectly!

Saturday, August 17, 2013

Missed Connections: Colors and Effects Edition

Sometimes you stumble upon the most poetic bits of lit on Missed Connections. No snark this time. Only love.









Now Playing: "Alaskans" by Volcano Choir
*I miss you.

Thursday, August 15, 2013

25 Random Things... I Love

ThingsILove



1. Nail Polish
2. Water
3. Traveling
4. Listening to music/going to concerts
5. Getting mail
6. Reading (Books/Magazines/Online)
7. Owls
8. Handbags
9. Movies
10. Boxes/Containers/Trays
11. Votives/Glassware
12. Makeup
13. Writing
14. Amusement Parks/Carnivals/Festivals
15. Alcohol (Beer, Wine, Champagne mostly)
16. Animals (especially shih-tzus and cats)
17. Astrology
18. Tarot
19. Thrift Stores
20. Staying up late
21. Bonfires
22. Earrings
23. Art/Photography
24. Pittsburgh & Our Sports (Steelers, Pens... hell, even the Buccos, too)
25. WVU (where I went to college)










Now Playing: "This Is the Last Time" by The National

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Happy Left-Handers' Day!



“Left-handers are wired into the artistic half of the brain, which makes them imaginative, creative, surprising, ambiguous, exasperating, stubborn, emotional, witty, obsessive, infuriating, delightful, original, but never, never, dull."
-James T. de Kay


Being left-handed has some pros and cons but overall, I've always appreciated being a south paw. It's nice to have little things about yourself that make you unique.

Some things I don't like about being left-handed:

  • Smearing ink, paint, etc. when writing, drawing or using my hands
  • First learning to use a computer mouse with my right hand
  • Everything seems to be designed for righties (scissors for example)
  • Math
  • Desks in college. 99% were styled for righties
  • Nuns think it's associated with the devil

A few things I like about being a lefty:

  • The way my mind is wired
  • Being able to jot down notes with my left hand and use the mouse with my right
  • Using a turn signal is extra easy
  • Being different
  • When strangers point it out and say they're also lefty (instantly something in common)
  • Advantages in sports (I'm ambidextrous with a lot of things)
  • It's on par with my political beliefs








Now Playing: "Wagon Wheel" by Darius Rucker

Monday, August 12, 2013

Music Monday: Rhye


"Open"


"3 Days"


"The Fall"


"One of Those Summer Days"


"Major Minor Love"



Rhye is a Canadian/Danish duo based in Los Angeles (both are male). Their debut album, Woman, can be purchased here.

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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!