Do Good...

"Go into the world and do well. But more importantly, go into the world and do good."

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Best in Bow

I'm obviously a fan of all of the above (Bows? Candles? Bandeau bikinis? Missoni? ... enough said). However, when it comes to Prada's Saffiano Tote... love, love, love. I've been on the search for the perfect black leather tote with yellow goldtone accents, and this one is definitely on the top of my list. The shape is perfect, and I could see myself using this one for years. So classic.  

Available at Neiman Marcus

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Music Mondays

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Dramatic Eyes Tutorial

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Artist: Cate Parr

I absolutely adore the watercolor illustrations of Etsy artist Cate Parr, so much so that one piece has  been the background of my Macbook for the past month. I love how the tonal watercolors are paired with bold, high-fashion silhouettes, giving the pieces a distinctive free-spirited quality. Although I love them all, I'm attempting to narrow down two of my favorites to purchase so I can mat and frame them side-by-side. Such a difficult decision, they're all gorg!

Youtube Review: MUFE HD, Bond No 9, Christian Louboutin

  

Review:
Makeup Forever (MUFE) HD Foundation

MAC Strobe Cream
Bond No. 9's The Scent of Peace
Christian Louboutin's Ron Ron 100mm

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Music Mondays

This is my official declaration of Music Mondays from this Monday forward. ;) 

Today, it's just my driving playlist for September (this one's been on repeat for a few weeks),

but I'm going to make an effort to mix it up with workout/primping/going out/etc. playlists...

basically just whatever I'm feeling at the time.

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Spring 2012 Forecast

It's not even fall yet (officially, anyway), and I'm already looking forward to next spring. Helppppppp.

(Neon collection by Nanette Lepore, neutrals by Calvin Klein)

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The Great Gatsby: Ralph Lauren, Spring 2012

The Great Gatsby is my favorite book of all time; I really can't think of a piece that I've ever loved reading more. The novel captures so much glamour and excessive indulgence in such an interesting, historical time in our country. I was in an advanced lit class back in high school when I read it for the first time, where my teacher had us watch the Mia Farrow and Robert Redford movie. I even fell in love with the film, despite its glowy, overly dramatic 70's cinematic style. Ralph Lauren actually designed the costumes for that film in his early days of his career, and is again paying tribute to the Roaring Twenties and The Great Gatsby with his Spring 2012 collection. Pair its pearl-adorned, heavily-beaded, pastel-colored satin glory with the nostalgia I have for Gatsby, and you've got my adoration for a collection filled with the epitome of classic, timeless femininity.

"He smiled understandingly- much more than understandingly. It was one of those rare smiles with a quality of eternal reassurance in it, that you may come across four or five times in life. It faced--or seemed to face--the whole external world for an instant, and then concentrated on you with an irresistible prejudice in your favor. It understood you just as far as you wanted to be understood, believed in you as you would like to believe in yourself."
- F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby, Ch. 3

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America the Beautiful

 "Do not pray for easy lives. Pray to be stronger men. " -John F. Kennedy

 A decade later, I'm remembering all of the lives tragically lost on September 11, 2001. There aren't words for me to describe what happened that Tuesday morning, nor do I think they're necessary.

We will never forget.

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Photos taken last year on one of my trips to New York. The spirit of the city never fails to astound me.

Summer Wrap-Up + Outtakes Video

 I had planned on doing a summer farewell post... but then realized it will suffice to just admit that my summer was incredible. I spent my birthday in Miami, graduated from college, went on a cross-country roadtrip to California, began my career, and had a number of days that were entirely perfect. All the while, I've been surrounded by people that make these experiences that much more meaningful.

That being said, here's a ridiculous outtakes video that's pretty representative of how much I enjoy my life... because I honestly, truly do.

Summer, as lived through my Blackberry (may it rest in peace):
 

 

 

  

The song that will always remind me of this past summer...



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Style Icon: Audrey Hepburn

There are many women who have inspired me style-wise, several of whom I've featured. Women with fabulous hair, monstrous Hermes collections, killer shoes... they've absolutely influenced my own personal style. Audrey Hepburn's love of black attire and flowy dresses are definitely staples of my own style, as well as strong brows and dramatic lips. However, I think Audrey stands out amongst all of these style icons, as she possessed an inner grace and happiness that radiated in everything that she did. Audrey is absolutely an example of having it all; enjoying all things girly, finding joy in each and every moment, and having a purpose to do something greater than oneself. Audrey's work with UNICEF and her compassion for children is what set her apart from every other pretty face. She left a legacy of kindness and humility, something that should define and inspire beauty.

 

"For attractive lips, speak words of kindness.

For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people.

For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry.

For beautiful hair, let a child run his or her fingers through it once a day. For poise, walk with the knowledge that you never walk alone. The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries or the way she combs her hair. The beauty of a woman must be seen from in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides."

-Audrey Hepburn

“The best thing to hold onto in life is each other.” -AH

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