Thursday, October 31, 2013

Happy Halloween!


I absolutely adore this holiday! Not only do I get to spend Halloween in Salem, MA but it's also the 20th Anniversary of one of my favorite movies of all time, Hocus Pocus, which was set in the mystical town! I'm excited to have someone else read my Tarot cards for a change, visit a psychic, browse the New Age shops, see the gorgeous Fall foliage, tour the witch museums and explore New England! This is a trip that I've wanted to take since I was a little girl and I'm thrilled to check it off my list! :)













Now Playing: "Cyprus Avenue" by Van Morrison

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Pinterest Monthly: October 2013


This is true.


This is idyllic.


This is twisted.


This is me.


This is...

This is my dream wine cellar/lady lair.


This is Hpnotiq + White Wine + Ginger Ale. Yummy!


This is the type of house everyone should come home to in the fall.


This is my style. Classic elegance.
This is a wise statement from a fellow redhead.


This is my bitch. 














Now Playing: "Do You" by Miguel
*Still one of the best songs I've heard in recent years. Why wasn't it HUGE?

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Quoteworthy


“For these beings, fall is ever the normal season, the only weather, there be no choice beyond. Where do they come from? The dust. Where do they go? The grave. Does blood stir their veins? No: the night wind. What ticks in their head? The worm. What speaks from their mouth? The toad. What sees from their eye? The snake. What hears with their ear? The abyss between the stars. They sift the human storm for souls, eat flesh of reason, fill tombs with sinners. They frenzy forth.... Such are the autumn people.” 
-Ray Bradbury 1920-2012











Now Playing: "I Summon You" by Spoon

Monday, October 28, 2013

Music Monday: Dum Dum Girls


"Lord Knows"


"Trees and Flowers"


"Coming Down"


"Hold Your Hand" (Acoustic)


"Rest of Our Lives" (Live)


"Blank Girl"


"Baby Don't Go"


Dum Dum Girls are a pop group based in New York. Their most recent EP, End of Daze, can be purchased here.

Official
Facebook
Twitter











Thursday, October 24, 2013

Quoteworthy


“There's something to be said that if everyone likes something there's gotta be something fucking wrong with it on some level. Unless it's ice cream.” 
-Marc Maron











Now Playing: "First Cool Hive" by Moby
*Yes, I just watched Scream.

Monday, October 21, 2013

Music Monday: Chaker


"Gymnopédie No.1" (Erik Satie)

"Hey Joy"

"En Français s'il vous plait"

Chaker is a deep house producer from Paris. His EP, Contemporary Things, can be purchased here.









Friday, October 18, 2013

Quoteworthy



“We are here to awaken from our illusion of separateness.” 
-Thích Nhất Hạnh







Now Playing: "Strange Magic" by Electric Light Orchestra

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Recently Purchased

RecentlyPurchased



1. MGMT at Stage AE.
I've been a fan of MGMT since I was in college but have yet to see them live. I'm thrilled that they're finally playing a show in Pittsburgh. I'm going with one of my favorite girls so it should be a fun Monday night on the North Shore.

2. Urban Decay Naked Skin Foundation.
At 27, I've finally decided that my skin needs a decent liquid foundation. I always cringe when I see young girls slathering on foundation because the look of their natural skin is exactly what this sort of product is designed to give. But with a bit of age comes slight redness and uneven tone. I was determined to find a foundation that actually matched my porcelain skin (not surprisingly, I went with the lightest shade .5), felt virtually weightless and was buildable but still natural-looking. It's actually really hard to find a good foundation when you're as fair-skinned as me and have somewhat dry skin. But Urban Decay Naked Skin seems to be delivering on all fronts. I'm so pleased with it! I definitely recommend it to anyone who is looking for light-medium coverage and a naturally radiant finish.

3. Disaronno.
Sure, it takes 10 drinks to get you buzzed but damn, is it tasty! I've mostly been drinking beer and wine for the past several years- so much so that I forgot how much fun liquor is. Amaretto Sours were always my choice mixed drink in college. It's also delicious with Ginger Ale. I down them like it's water. Disaronno has regained a permanent status on my bar cart. Mmmm! Pass the pleasure around ;)

4. Benefit Cosmetics Primed for Lovin' Gift Set.
This is a pretty good value. Of course, I'm a sucker for packaging and love the tin with the ginger artwork. I haven't decided what I'm going to use it for but it will surely get put to good use. This set includes a full size of High Beam (highlighter), They're Real (mascara), The Porefessional (primer) and a deluxe size of the Sugarbomb lipgloss. This would make an excellent gift for the gal in your life who loves makeup.

5. Urban Decay Vice 2 Palette.
I've been having fun with this release. It includes an array of easy to blend eyeshadows as well as a duo-sided brush. The beautiful packaging reminds of an antique jewelry case. Urban Decay is absolutely one of my favorite brands of makeup. I also picked up their limited edition eyeliner set. The 24/7 pencils are hands down, the best on the market. I have just about every shade they've ever released but I don't regret buying any of them. This would also be a nice present for the holidays.

6. Nostalgia in Vogue.
I adore these coffee table books. It's nice to flip through them on a rainy day. I've mentioned it many times that books are one of my favorite things to decorate with. They add such a unique splash of personality to your home. Many people joke about opening someone's medicine cabinet when they're at a new friend's house. I head straight to the bookshelf and music collection.











Now Playing: "Nobody Knows" by Pastor T.L. Barrett & The Youth for Christ Choir
*Such a good one!

Monday, October 14, 2013

Music Monday: The Perfect Mix Tape




1. "Wish You Were Here", Pink Floyd.
2. "We Own the Sky", M83.
3. "Royals", Lorde.
4. "First Song for B", Devendra Banhart.
5. "Jane", Jefferson Starship (Wet Hot American Summer). 
6. "Balance", Future Islands.
7. "Wicked Game", James Vincent McMorrow (Chris Isaak cover).
8. "The Loco-Motion", Little Eva ('60s).
9. "Holocene", Bon Iver.
10. "Intro", The xx.


11. "Mind Sex", Dead Prez. (Hidden track- wooo!)


This was a fun little Music Monday activity. I remember when I was in school, I'd always make mix tapes (and later CDs) for my friends and such. The last time a guy gave me one (a few years back) it was quite prolific- more like a box set. Mixes truly are one of the most thoughtful gifts that come straight from the heart. I'm a major lyric lover because I think that words are powerful. Music takes it to another level.









Saturday, October 12, 2013

Go Deep: The Raven



"The Raven" by Edgar Allan Poe as narrated by Christopher Walken.

Coast to Coast AM closed tonight's show with this mystical recording. One of my favorites.









Monday, October 7, 2013

Music Monday: Hooded Fang


"Love Song"


"Bye Bye Land"


"Laughing"


"Den of Love"



Hooded Fang is an indie rock group from Toronto. Their most recent album, Gravez, was released earlier this year and can be purchased here.

Official
Facebook
Twitter








Friday, October 4, 2013

Quoteworthy


"It's an awful truth that suffering can deepen us, give a greater lustre to our colors, a richer resonance to our words."
-Anne Rice








Now Playing: "There's A Sadness In My Heart" by Legs
*Great song for the month!

Seasonal Selections

Untitled #51



  • Clarins One-Step Facial Cleanser
  • Shiseido Facial Cotton 
  • YSL Manifesto
  • D.L. & Co. Candles
  • Blazers & Leather Jackets
  • Wedge Booties
  • Green Nail Polish
  • Phillip Lim for Target Mini Satchel
  • Plum Lipstick
  • Orange Is The New Black on Netflix












Now Playing: "People That You Must Remember" by Zulu Winter

Thursday, October 3, 2013

Nail Me

FALL2013POLISH


For many reasons, Fall has always been my favorite season of the year. One of the many things I love most about this time of year is the color palette for fashion and yes, nail polish! Here are some of the shades I'm enjoying the most right now!

Top Row:

Deborah Lippmann Laughin' To the Bank: This is a gorgeous, deep, emerald from DL's Jewel Heist Collection (fantastic!). Green is actually my choice color for the season. My top selection is a true kelly green in Revlon's Posh (not pictured) but all shades from hunter to olive to army to jade are beautiful. Greens look especially lovely against a black ensemble or accessories.


OPI Peace & Love & OPI: This was the only bottle I picked up from the recent San Francisco collection. Not only does it have an adorable name but it's a unique duochrome that shifts from gunmetal to teal to purple. 


Sally Hansen Fuzzy Coat Tweedy: This is the polish that I'm actually wearing right now. Its name perfectly captures the look and feel of the texture. It's like wearing a fuzzy coat or sweater on your nails. I paired mine over a glossy black (Essie Licorice) but I'll pull this one out again over orange near Halloween and perhaps over a grey or nude to give another type of look. 


OPI Ski Teal We Drop: Here we have an oldie but a goody. This is one of my go-to polishes for Fall and Winter. I love the way the teal looks against my fair skin. It pairs well with a lot of the things I wear during this time of year. If you can't find this particular polish, I recommend Zoya Cynthia.


Deborah Lippmann Glitter and be Gay: I mentioned my excitement at acquiring this glitter polish on my last Nail Me post. It's another beauty from the Jewel Heist collection and I look forward to wearing it again soon.



Bottom Row:

Chanel Alchimie: I was really happy to get this from the new fall collection. The color is perfect for this time of year and complements my hair and eye color nicely. It's unique enough to justify the price (as is my rule when purchasing anything from my favorite luxury brand). I'm excited to wear this one soon!


Essie Power Clutch: I received this in one of my beauty boxes and I've been very happy with my score. It's a deep grey that works tremendously against the fall backdrop in Pittsburgh. 


Revlon Elusive: I stumbled upon this limited edition fall polish when I was at Target last month shopping for the Phillip Lim collection. I haven't had the chance to wear it yet but from what I've read, it definitely requires a good top coat. I thought it was a magical little beauty. 


Essie Luxedo: Any of the vampy, berry, wine colors are the quintessential fall polish. This particular shade from Essie adds something a bit extra to the standard oxblood/merlot look. I don't own this one but I'd certainly jump at the chance to add it to my collection. It reminds me a bit of OPI Lincoln Park After Dark.


China Glaze Bat My Eyes: This little gem is from the new Monster's Ball collection for Halloween.  I plan to pick this one up along with Bump In the Night



Other Seasonal Selections:

China Glaze Harvest Moon
OPI Zom-body to Love
OPI Warm & Fozzie
OPI My Private Jet
OPI What Wizardry Is This?
OPI Number One Nemesis
Sephora by OPI Come to Papa-Razzi!
Wet 'n Wild Fergie Tonight's Gonna Be A Good Night
Chanel Peridot
L'oreal Gorgeous Gold
L'oreal The Muse's Inspiration
Barielle Elle's Spell
Hard Candy Sweet P











Now Playing: "Royals" by Lorde
*I just heard this song for the first time on Jimmy Fallon. This is what happens when you don't regularly listen to Top 40 radio. It's nice to hear a good song getting some buzz.

Wonderwall


















Now Playing: "Harvest Moon" by Neil Young
*One of my favorite songs to play during the Fall :)

Tuesday, October 1, 2013

BUCTOBER!!!



My Pittsburgh Pirates haven't been to the postseason since I was in Kindergarten (I'm 27). No matter what happens tonight, it's surreal to see this go down!








October 2013 Playlist

OCT13PLAYLIST






1. "Pumpin Blood" by NONONO, 2013.
2. "Paper Doll" by Pyramids, 2013.
3. "Parachute Heart" by Grace Potter & The Nocturnals, 2012.
4. "Cry Like a Ghost" by Passion Pit, 2013.
5. "Feel So Close" by Calvin Harris, 2011.
6. "Goodbye Horses" by Q Lazzarus, 1988.
7. "Ghost Lights" by Woodkid, 2013.
8. "Geri" by Superhumanoids, 2012.
9. "The Gaudy Side of Town" by Gayngs, 2010.
10. "The Ghost on the Shore" by Lord Huron, 2012.
11. "Dream Lover" by White Flight, 2011.
12. "Love Ablaze" by Phedre, 2012.
13. "Burn the Witch" by Queens of The Stone Age, 2006.
14. "Staring at the Sun" by TV on the Radio, 2006.
15. "Ring a Bell" by Late Night Alumni, 2013.
16. "Mississippi Mud" by Black Blood and the Chocolate Pickles, 197?.
17. "Weekend Wars" by MGMT, 2008.
18. "Thinking About You" by Frank Ocean, 2012.
19. "Bound 2" by Kanye West, 2013.
20. "Raspberry Beret" by Prince, 1985.
21. "Playground Love" by Air, 2000.
22. "Born to Die" by Lana Del Rey, 2012.
23. "Only Heather" by Wild Nothing, 2012.
24. "Star Fire Power" by Gardens & Villa, 2011.
25. "Runaway" by Yeah Yeah Yeahs, 2009.
26. "Alaskans" by Volcano Choir, 2013.
27. "Pays to Know" by MYPET, 2012.
28. "Enjoy the Silence" by Depeche Mode, 1990.
29. "Use Me" by Beans & Fatback, 2012.
30. "A Long Time Coming" by Wampire, 2009.










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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!