Official Taylorism #1

Couldn't have heard this quote at a better time. I don't think I've ever had a more difficult week, but trying to keep my head up regardless. As my twinnnnn would tell me, it's all on God's Chanel J12.

Nowhere but up, dolls.

xx

YSL Friends & Family Sale

Just a little heads up...

 

YSL is having a 20% off Friends and Family sale through the 26th. Just enter promotion code "FRIENDS" at check out and you're all set! Definitely snatch this one up if you've been eying a YSL product recently, as the brand rarely goes on sale. (The Touche Éclat illuminator is everything you've heard it is, FYI).

You're welcome. ;)

xx

(Image source: yslbeautyus.com)

Review: Random Skin Products

DDF Glycolic 5% Exfoliating Wash

While I get monthly facials from my AMAZING esthetician, Margot, this cleanser is something that I definitely credit for transforming my skin in the past few months. For whatever reason (or "stress-induced," as Margot says), my skin completely freaked out in February. It was awful, especially since I'd never really had terrible skin. This cleanser made a tremendous difference in just weeks. It's definitely drying because of the glycolic, but it's so worth it if you're trying to get down to the new layers of skin. Now that my skin is almost back to normal, I wouldn't use anything else. (I highly recommend using a great moisturizer with this cleanser - I use Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream.)  
$35 (+ 20% off coupon code), skinstore.com

Juice Beauty Blemish Clearing Serum

I really, really wanted to like this product, and I was excited to use it because of its natural, organic ingredients. However, this product just didn't make the cut. I started using this product at the end of April, and I still haven't noticed any change in the occasional slight breakouts I'd been having. I like the cool packaging, and the glass bottle and vial are nice to use and aesthetically pleasing. I just can't vouch for a product that really hasn't done anything for me.
$29 (+ 20% off coupon code), skinstore.com

Bliss Fat Girl Slim Firming Cream

I decided to get this about a month before leaving for my Miami getaway, sort of a "let's see if this actually works" type of thing. I was working with a trainer regularly and eating pretty clean, so I can't bash this product. It has a very strong medicinal scent and leaves a tingly feeling to the skin, which makes you think that there must be at least some temporary firming going on. Not so much. That's not to say my legs didn't feel tighter, because they did... but that's because I was doing a zillion squats and lunges daily. I had a feeling this product was a hoax- of course, there's no miracle cream- but I guess I just had to figure that one out on my own. 
$29, Sephora

Toto, I don't think we're in Kansas anymore

Theseeeeee shoes. Yes, I realize they're slightly over the top and evoke a bit of a "there's no place like home" vibe, but I wanted them SO badly for my commencement ceremony. I figured when else would I ever get the chance to rock such a girly, silly pair of shoes? I was so bummed when I found out they were sold out everywhere back in April.... and trust me, I called every location in the country, haha. Randomly checked out the Loub website today, and sure enough, they're now available. And not only that, but they're only available in one size. MY SIZE.

Now the question is... do I truly need a pair of glittery Loubs right now?

Don't answer that.

xx

For what it's worth...

"For what it's worth: it's never too late or, in my case, too early to be whoever you want to be. There's no time limit, stop whenever you want. You can change or stay the same, there are no rules to this thing. We can make the best or the worst of it. I hope you make the best of it. And I hope you see things that startle you. I hope you feel things you never felt before. I hope you meet people with a different point of view. I hope you live a life you're proud of. If you find that you're not, I hope you have the strength to start all over again." -The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Fashion Eval: CHANEL (S/S and PRE-FALL '11)

Chanel Pre-Fall 2011

Chanel's Paris-Byzance Pre-Fall 2011 was just released, and although I can't say I'm a huge fan of this particular capsule, I think there are some definite things to be taken from it. Many of the pieces are very unstructured and done in thick wool and tweed, something I'm not very impressed with. However, the Boho/Grecian styling really needs to be mentioned. Love the combination of black and gold used in this collection; it's a combination that I wear on a constant basis and can never get enough of. The richly colored ornate jewelry is interesting as well. I loved the messy Grecian updo look that Lagerfeld used this season, adding the right mix of messiness and sexiness to an otherwise very visually heavy collection.

Here are my picks from the collection:

 Love the structured coats paired with slim pants and messy updos. Very wearable and imitable look.

 While the first look has a very conservative cut, the styling makes it work. The bib necklace, gold chain belt, and Grecian headband transform a 90's-looking dress into something a bit more fresh. The second look has an artistic, eclectic element that I love.

Chanel S/S 2011

 While I'm always a Lagerfeld lover, I prefer his flirtier spring/summer/resort lines over his moodier fall and winter lines.

 These two looks encompass warm-weather Chanel perfectly. Love the mix of the black floral prints with the trademark tweed, done in a modern cut. I like the combination of the tiny shorts with the more conservative tops. It's sexy and young, but not crass. Always think it's better balance to pick one and bare either more leg OR cleavage.

Black. Classic, and yet interesting cuts. The strap detail on the dress is gorg.

 

The light denim is awful. But the sight of beautiful daddy and baby in matching Chanel blazers? SO sweet.

What I Know For Certain...

Yesterday would have been my mom's 51st birthday. She passed away 20 years ago last month from a malignant brain tumor. She was just thirty. My mom was a force of nature; a woman that left a legacy because of her genuine fire and beauty. Despite the fact that I was just three when she passed, I feel that her story and energy continues to give me strength, even as a 23-year-old woman. This is what her life (and untimely death) has ultimately taught me, and what I try to live my life based on.

Live with intention.
Life is precious. You get once chance... ONE. Make the most of it. My mom is the greatest example of someone that made every single day count. My mom did what she loved; without regret, without fear, without second thought. The world is a great big place that is to be discovered and cherished.

Live passionately.
Feel what brings you fire, what makes you come alive... and then use that as a compass to follow your dreams. Like my mom, I'm a big believer in "do it big, or go home." For me, there is no middle ground; I'll either put my heart and soul into something/someone, or I won't invest anything at all. I wear my heart on my sleeve, and maybe that's put me at a greater risk for pain; but I'm certain that pain is worth the risk of living truthfully and with passion.


Live with heart.
Love is the only thing that makes life worthwhile. End of story.

Live with honesty. 
With truth, there is freedom. Tell people how you feel about them, even at the risk of rejection. Perhaps what is so amazing about my mom's legacy is how she left her mark on such a vast amount of people. I still have strangers approach me and tell me how my mom made a difference in their lives. In the words of John Mayer, "It's better to say too much, than never say what you need to say again."

Live without fear.
My mom lived without fear. This is something I struggle with; being fearful of failure, of intimidating situations, of feeling like I might never amount to enough. Recently, I started to lose these fears by choosing to face them head-on; there's no better way to lose fear than to look it in the eye. Fear can paralyze you from getting what you want and reaching your full potential... and I care too much about my dreams to let that happen.


Live in beauty.
My mom possessed an external beauty that stood out in a room full of people. My grandma loves to tell me the story of how a man once stopped her in the mall to tell her that my mom was the most beautiful woman that he had ever seen. Perhaps what is much more valuable is the fact that my mom possessed an internal beauty that surpassed the external. My mom had been a model in her early twenties, modeling in New York and in California. She enjoyed designer clothes and getting dolled up, but it didn't make her who she was. Her beauty came from the lives she touched as a psychologist, from being a loving wife, from being a devoted mother, from being a friend that would drop everything to help. She found the beauty in this life and embraced it. This is something that I carry with me everyday.

There is beauty in everything... if only your eyes are open to it.

xx

Took this photo in the Forever 21 store off of Michigan Ave. in Chicago. Love the message. The butterfly thing is a little random, but maybe my life is a bit like that, too. ;)

xx

Empire Of The Sun - Walking On A Dream

I fell in love with Australia's Empire of the Sun a few years ago when I first heard their single Walking on a Dream. I can be pretty flaky when it comes to music, and always have a new favorite that joins the ranks of many on my massive iTunes collection. That being said, I can listen to this song over and over, and still never tire of it. It's the one song that just grabs me. Love, love, love.  

Never looking down, I'm just in awe of what's in front of me.

xx

Heavenly

Springtime at Heavenly Scent Herb Farm...

A little piece of heaven on earth.

Frugal Friday

It probably goes without saying that I'm kinddddd of a fan of the finer things in life, but few actually realize how conscious I am about my spending habits. I've found a number of ways to get the things I love for a fraction of the cost. I very rarely pay full price for anything, really. It typically must be something really special for me to be willing to pay retail (Vuitton, anyone?).

Here are a few tricks I've found along the way:

Know your sales and plan accordingly.

• Victoria's Secret has the Semi-Annual sales in mid-June and in early January.
• Nordstrom's biggest sale, the Anniversary Sale, is in July. Half-yearlies are in May and November.
• Saks' Friends & Family Sales (20% off most items, 10% off cosmetics) are typically in April and October.
• Sephora's Friends & Family Sale (20% off everything) is in late October. 
• J. Crew always gives you 15% off if you are a college student or teacher (any grade/level). Just show them your student/work ID and give them your school email address when asked. If you're ordering through their website, you can still get the discount; just call their 1800 number.

I'm not exactly a big astrology follower, but I liked my little horoscope that popped up when I logged into iGoogle this morning:

"It's challenging for you to operate without a plan because you like to know exactly what you're doing. Now, however, it may be to your advantage to fly by the seat of your pants. It can be scary to make it up as you go along, but your flexibility enables you to take advantage of the moment."

That pretty much sums up my life right now. Learning to love it. Well, kind of... but I'm learning. ;)

xx

My Picks: Miami Beach Edition

I personally recommend:

Ritz-Carlton, Key Biscayne
I've stayed at this Ritz location several times now, and my most recent trip here was the best yet. It's about 20 minutes south of the craziness of SoBe, which allows for daytime relaxing in a luxe setting. Nice beach, attentive beach staff, well maintained grounds and pools. The staff goes above and beyond to cater to your every whim. Spend a bit more to get a Club Level room- you will get free drinks, breakfast, and hors d'oeuvres in a private lounge and in their beachside cabana. You'll save money if you go with Club Level... it more than pays for itself.

Acqualina Resort & Spa, Sunny Isles
I stayed here in late 2009, and this resort is incredible. Impeccable in every possible way. The decor is above and beyond gorgeous, and the grounds are straight out of a movie. Very much a grownup beachside oasis. Only drawback is that it is about 35-40 minutes north of South Beach, although it is close to the shops at Aventura and Bal Harbour. ESPA spa is noteworthy; excellent massages and they give you lots of free samples. =)

Shops at Bal Harbour
The best high end shopping center in the Miami area. Check out Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Agent Provocateur, and Neiman Marcus. The sales associates are really friendly (even if you're just browsing), so don't feel intimidated by the storefronts. 9700 Collins Ave.

Aventura Mall
HUGE mall with a nice mix of medium and high end shops. Nice Bloomingdales, Anthropologie, Henri Bendel, and Gilly Hicks (which carries beautiful bras and loungewear that is almost always on sale). A bit of a drive from SoBe, but worth it. Off of Collins in Aventura.

A Fish Called Avalon
Awesome for SoBe people watching, on the corner of 7th and Ocean. A must: white sangria. 700 Ocean Drive.

News Cafe
Where designer Gianni Versace had his "last supper"- a Miami dining landmark. Casual and cheap. Excellent for people watching, on Ocean by 8th. Awesome Mediterranean food. 800 Ocean Drive.


Hakkasan (at the Fontainebleau)
Absolutely gorgeous decor! Dark and sexy. A must: vegetarian dim sum. The Hakka, their trademark lychee cocktail is AMAZING. 4441 Collins Ave.

Nobu Miami (at the Shore Club)
Best sushi anywhere, hands down. Small but chic. 1901 Collins Ave.

SkyBar (at the Shore Club)
My absolute favorite bar in Miami. Lush gardens, gorgeous grounds, and chaise beds to lounge around on and people watch around the pool. A must: classic margarita. 1901 Collins Ave.

Il Mulino (at Acqualina Resort)
Great Italian food, albeit pricy. Excellent wine list. 17875 Collins Ave, Sunny Isles.

DASH Miami

While in Miami, we visited the Kardashians' infamous DASH Miami boutique on Washington Avenue in SoBe. Being a Kardashian fan and a big shopper in general, I was so excited to check out their store for myself. I'd heard and read that the shop was sorely overrated and disappointing in person, but I figured it was still worth a visit. Parking in the area generally sucks as a whole, so I highly recommend parking in the structure around the corner (on 7th and Collins). It's centrally located and literally only a dollar per hour... you really can't go wrong.

The shop is right on Washington Ave, halfway between 8th and 9th Streets. I was sort of surprised by the location- while it's close to the craziness of Ocean and Collins, it's still a slightly gritty, halfway revitalized area. It's close to Diesel and Adriano Goldschmied, but it's also amidst empty storefronts and a bunch of tacky tourist shops (think booty shorts and 2 for $10 graphic tees). I was told that the store is much smaller than it appears on TV, and that's absolutely correct. This store is tiny! Given the Kardashians' larger than life media presence, the modest storefront with its tiny sign would be the last place you'd expect to find DASH. Nonetheless, I found myself surprised- in a good way- with my experience with DASH Miami.

The two salesgirls were super friendly, and were more than willing to assist when I was looking at the jewelry case. While the selection of clothing is quite small, the pieces were well-chosen and definitely reflective of the Kardashian style (think one-shouldered dresses, tropical prints, maxi dresses, rompers, etc.). The prices were surprisingly reasonable for the mid-range designers they offer, and they even had a small sale rack with significantly discounted pieces. Their bikini and jewelry selections were impressive; definitely their best area in the store. Unfortunately, they offer the gimmicky bottles of Kardashian-branded water, $60 DASH cotton tees, $40 DASH candles, $10 Kardashian-shaped Silly Bandz, and a bunch of the Quick Trim products they endorse, which definitely cheapens an otherwise decent store. But what else would you expect from the girls? These are marketing moguls who definitely know how to sell... or at least their managers do one hell of a job. ;)

I ended up leaving DASH with one of those very classy $10 waters and a gold disc necklace (which I LOVE and have worn nearly everyday). They packaged up my purchases in a cute little bag and tissue paper, and I left a happy customer. Apparently Kim was in town the Saturday before we were there, scoping out storefronts for a new revamped location with her new fiance, Kris. I'm sure the new shop will be bigger, better, and bolder than ever... and I can't wait to return. =)

xx

My Picks: Louboutin F/W 2011/2012

Belle (100mm)

Manchon (120mm)

Suede Ron Ron (100mm)

Finally! The red-soled house has released the Fall/Winter Collection for '11/'12. As much as I hate that fall collections are released at the start of summer, I can't complain since I'll never tire of new Loubs. Love that Msr. Louboutin has been going after more wearable neutrals this season... looks like he's starting to retire some of the colors and spikes that aren't exactly wearable on a daily basis. The Belles are the perfect black leather bootie... what more is there to say? It's a staple that will go with absolutely anything and everything.

I'm a sucker for the camel hue in pretty much any form, and the Manchon booties are no exception. They're wearable and versatile for pretty much every fall ensemble as well. And as far as the Ron Rons go... yay for suede! Yay for comfort! Alright... take it from experience, Ron Rons are never going to be comfortable. But a girl can certainly dream... ;)

xx