YouTube: Favorite Beauty Products (July '12)

Usher ft. Luke Steele- Looking 4 Myself

I couldn't wait until next Monday to post this song... it's just that good. This one is by Usher, and features Luke Steele of my favorite band, Empire of the Sun ("Walking on a Dream" is literally my favorite song in this entire world).

"I said I was looking for myself
And somehow I ran right into you"

♥

Best in Bow: July 2012 Products

I could go through a massive detailed description of the beauty products I'm loving... but instead, I'm dumping out the contents of my makeup bag and showing you exactly what I'm using at this very moment in time. I wouldn't be using them if they weren't products I didn't love, right?!

For July, I'm loving bronzed skin, strong brows, long black lashes, a la Kim Kardashian:

Simple, summery, and nearly natural... just better!

Restoration

Decisions, decisions!

Later That Day, I Got to Thinking...

 

"Dress head to toe in love... the only label that never goes out of style."

-Sex & The City

I know, I know... how much more of a tourist could I look, as I stand on Carrie Bradshaw's front stoop? ;) That being said, I simply adore the West Village. With the turn of every corner, I found myself fascinated by the sights and sounds around me... and this wasn't even my first trip there! This trip gave such creative inspiration, which is invaluable to me.

More so, this trip was just another reminder that with every day, I have begun to create a beautiful adult life that I adore. From my career to the people in my life, I am finding myself so very content. Live in beauty, and you will feel beautiful and blessed. Love life, and it will love you back.

Music Monday

Lykke Li- Little Bit

Adore this song, but the remix with Drake is amazinggg. Can't get enough.
Love stumbling upon older songs.

Empire State of Mind

Lincoln Center at night, gelato in hand with my wonderful boss and colleague.

(And yes, I realize that I look about 15 feet tall in the Loubs, heh.)

I love New York... and I truly love my job!

Big Lights Will Inspire You

 

These streets will make you feel brand new
Big lights will inspire you
Let's hear it for New York, New York, New York

Back to New York on my very first business trip.

Creative inspiration everywhere!

Sometimes I feel like I have to pinch myself.

 I may just be the luckiest girl in the world.

Music Monday: Cash Out

Just a warning... this might just be my most random post ever.

Several weekends ago, I had the opportunity to photograph rapper Ca$h Out, whose song "Cashin' Out" is currently #1 in the hip-hop charts. I'll be up front here... it's one of those ridiculous summer songs that gets stuck in your head. My own guy has come up with a few creative lyrics of his own to this Ca$h Out song, which has made listening to this all the more interesting, haha... and all the more reason of why this song makes me laugh everytime I hear it. :)

 

 

Happy 4th of July!

 

Red, white, blue's in the skies,
Summer's in the air and baby,
Heaven's in your eyes.

Call Me Maybe

... and this is one of many reasons why I love my family. ;)

Music Monday

Bingo Players- Cry (Just a Little)

I'm obsessed with this song right now- so summery and happy.

Definitely the first song on my workout playlist!
(and pool playlist... and boating playlist... and June 2012 playlist. heh.)

 Love, love, love.

Bond No. 9's I Love NY Collection

This review has been a long time coming... my apologies!

Life has been insanely busy recently, but I'm loving every moment of it. I'm currently working on a very exciting re-branding project for my amazing client, which will be incredible once we launch. It's truly such an interesting process, and I can't wait to see everything come together. In addition, I've been busy with all sorts of fun summer get-togethers with loved ones. I just love this time of year.

I'm still enjoying my girly indulgences, and have plenty of things I'd like to write about and review. First and foremost, I need to review Bond No. 9's I Love NY fragrance collection, which I received in early April after winning first place in Bond's New York photography competition. I have to admit, I was absolutely thrilled when I received this package! In the marketing/design field myself, I was in love with the gorgeous packaging before I even reached the products... it's all done so beautifully. The fact that I received all three fragrances was such a special honor, especially since I'm a big fan of Bond.

I Love New York for Her

 Top Notes: Mandarin Zest, Spicy Nutmeg, Blueberry

Middle Notes: Roses, Pink Peonies, Patchouli

Base Notes: Musk, Vanilla, Sandalwood, Leather

This fragrance is the ultimate in femininity. It's sweet and has a lovely dry down, one that will appeal to many women. It's just a very pretty, agreeable fragrance. All things considered, though, I'm not in love with it and don't plan on purchasing it once I go through this bottle. There's something about it that's a bit too generically sweet and powdery about it once it dries down on me.

I Love New York for All

 Top Notes: Bergamot, Muguet, Pepper

Middle Notes: Cocoa, Coffee Beans, Chestnut

Base Notes: Patchouli, Vanilla, Leatherwood, Sandalwood

I love this fragrance. It's just so different than any other scent I own (and that's saying quite a bit, given my vast collection). This one is a true gourmand, sweet and yet complex that develops into a beautiful, warm scent. This will be absolutely perfect in the fall and winter; it just evokes cozy sexiness. My best friend Courtney also loves this fragrance, and it has quickly become a new favorite. She gets so many compliments! It's also a great unisex scent, as a male friend of ours actually wore this out and said he had never gotten more comments from women. Clearly, everyone loves I Love New York for All- myself included!

I Love New York for Him

 Top Notes: Grapefruit Zest, Juniper Berry, Ginger, and an Electric Energy Accord

Middle Notes:Lavender, Geranium, Patchouli, and an Animal Leather Accord

Base Notes: Sandalwood, Balsam-like Labdanum, Musk, and a Modern Amber Accord

I gave this one away the day I got it (since I don't use it myself)... so my opinion on this one is fairly limited. That being said, I was able to snag my guy a number of men's Bond samples about a month ago, and we both love this fragrance on him best. I definitely feel like this one is a casual cologne that is best suited for a younger man. It's just the perfect everyday fragrance for him.

 

Happiness is...

 

... here & now. :)

24 Karat Birthday

"It's hard to stay mad, when there's so much beauty in the world.

Sometimes I feel like I'm seeing it all at once, and it's too much.

My heart fills up like a balloon that's about to burst...

And then I remember to relax, and stop trying to hold on to it.

And then it flows through me like rain.

And I can't feel anything but gratitude

for every single moment of my stupid little life... "
-American Beauty

I turn 24 today... hooray! My twenty-third year was quite a year... through all of the struggles and successes, I feel like I've finally started to come into my own. I can only be grateful for every single experience that I've had this past year, for each and every moment shapes us. And truly, I am happier than I've ever been in this very moment.

Treating each day as if it were my last... living, loving, and laughing on this great earth.

Always, always.