mixtape 01 · summer sunset

First order of business : virtual mixtape. Really it's just playlist but lets not get caught up in logistics yeah? Plus, doesn't "mixtape" just sound one thousand times more romantic? Welcome [back] to the 90's, ladies and gents. This one's called Summer Sunset.

I'm already getting nostalgic for summer's end and like let's be honest, who doesn't love a good mix.  I'm one of those people that is constantly listening to music. 24/7.  It's just one of the small things that  I enjoy immensely (and sorry that I like to pretend my life has it's own soundtrack because, you know, it does. Doesn't it?). This will probably be an ongoing thing — it'd be cool if I could do 1-2 of these babies per month. Look at me already getting ahead of myself, as if it didn't take me like two days to make this thing because I'm overly obsessive. I really wanted to make sure it had that perfect flow.  I don't even know if that makes sense but ahhh, I so hope someone really really enjoys this. Also you should take note that I have not yet let go of my infatuation with peach(es). I think this might be a life-long love. Not even gonna hide it. 

I made the mix on both Spotify, Rdio, and 8tracks (don't hate on my 4 year old username) just to make sure most people could have a listen. That said, Spotify didn't have the Lisztomania remix I wanted so I just popped in the original. Massive cockblock, thanks Spot! This is essentially just a complilation of all of the music I've been enamored/infatuated with this summer. All of those omg-i-can't-get-enough songs. You know what I mean.

Anyway, feel free to follow + subscribe. Oh and let me know what you think! 

             

ch-ch-changes

New logo. New nonsense. *gasp*

I haven't been around for a while. Almost a month, which seems so crazy, really. Like anything else in this world though there are totally some legit excuses reasons as to why. 

First and most important is: this stopped feeling like my space. I started this blog to write about what I like, what I enjoy, what I do. I started this blog to make relationships. Somewhere down the road it turned into a full on beauty blog which is great, but there really is so much more to my life than makeup. I started buying all of the things I wanted when I wanted them. There was less of wait, less of a chase, and it made them a lot less fun. I want to genuinely freak out over how much I love a brand new mascara again. Where the hell has the thrill gone?

Secondly, I got bored. I looked at my blog and it was like : product, product, product. There are bloggers and vloggers who are really good at this stuff. They write consistently about products and make it interesting and I drool and it just, it makes sense. I, personally, cannot keep doing the same thing all the time. I bore myself and get stuck in ruts and get frustrated. I need to flail around and let this blog just be whatever the hell it wants. Fashion. Beauty. Food. Lifestyle. Whatever whatever. Why set limits? What good comes from limits? (the answer is nothing, in case you were wondering)

I love taking photos. I love overdressing in San Francisco because people think (and look at me like) I am insane. I have a soft spot for succulents and I'm moving in 4 days. I can't wait to start doing yoga religiously again. I can't wait to not have a 100ºf fever because the delirium, while slightly hilarious, is actually doing my head in. Sometimes I listen to the Sims Buy Mode 1 song just for funsies. I am consistently compared to April Ludgate by people I know and some that I don't. I don't even know what this all says about me but what I do know that this blog doesn't encompass even half of this. And I want it to. So now, it's going to. 

I will still be beauty blogging, just less than I was before, and it'll be mixed in with a ton of other things.  I haven't stopped feeling thankful for everyone who has ever even read my blog in passing. Always grateful. Always. So without further ado — this blog has now been liberated and is free to be whatever the hell it wants.

Humidity Defying Hair Care

After quite a few conversations on Twitter about how I tame my mane, I've decided it's probably time to share my frizz-free secrets. Because I've lived with a curly mop on my head for  a good 24 years now, I figured I'd share some secrets and some of my favorite products to beat the ridiculous humidity.

· Use a good shampoo + conditioner. Something that is great for smoothing and hydrating, something that won't dry your hair out (so sulfate-free is your best be). Sulfates are even more awful for naturally dry and damaged hair and will leave your locks with less to be desired. The Pureology Hydrate range and the L'Oreal EverCreme range are two of my current favorites.

· Prep your hair! Seriously, this is important. What you put in your hair right after you wash it will determine how it's going to act. Aveda is the new love of my life. I've always liked their products but after switching to an Aveda salon I've been introduced to some seriously amazing things. Their Smooth Infusion Style-Prep Smoother is 100% holy grail. It claims to protect against humidity for 12 hours (thanks to organic tapioca) but I've gotten easily 48 hours out of this stuff. It helps set your blow-out, especially when followed by a cool shot and it smells of that oh so lovely Aveda smell. It's also a heat protectant! Light Elements Smoothing Fluid helps tame any flyaways and adds a bit of shine. I sometimes mix this with my Smooth Infusion before drying my hair, but I also use it on dry hair, to protect from frizz even more.

· If/when you blow-dry, make sure your hair is completely dry. Any leftover damp areas (especially close to the root) can end up fluffing up a bit more than you'd like. Ending your blowout with a cool shot will help seal the cuticle, set the hair, and add a bit of shine.

· Style with products that will add a little texture or add a little more protection. Bumble and bumble Brilliantine is one of my all-time favorites. You can use it on wet hair to smooth your locks down or on dry hair to ruffle up a sexy bed head. For a little UV protection, conditioning, and dry action, Oribe's Soft Dry Conditioner spray* is what I've been reaching for. It's got argan oil and hydrolyzed silk to make your midshaft and ends chill out when the going gets a little tough. It's perfect on second and third day hair — freshening up and softening at all once.

· Treat it with care. It's a 10's Miracle Leave in Conditioner is my go-to at the moment. It's got heat protectant, helps control frizz, detangles, adds shine, conditions, the list goes on and on and on. I sometimes use this on wet hair but it's really awesome the night before I know I'm gonna wash my hair. I drench my ends, and in the morning when I wash it out my hair feels incredibly soft. I really do think this helps calm my curls a bit.

So basically this is what I've been doing for quite a while to keep that extra unwanted moisture + puffiness out of my hair. Most importantly I always prep, condition, and use the cool air when finishing off my hair. What seem like trivial little details are actually the biggest steps in my hair routine, especially in this 80% humidity.

Would you be interested in more haircare tips? What are some of your fail-proof frizz-proof steps?

*PR sample

1st Official Blog Birthday / Giveaway Winner

I've been waiting for today since I first blogged about my giveaway. I don't think I can explain how much I adore every person who reads this blog and takes the time to comment daily. And with that, the giveaway winners. Oh, wait, what? WinnerS? Yep! I decided to have a runner up and send them a little package as well. It won't be as special as the main giveaway, but it'll still be full of some products I love.

So without further ado, the winners:


a Rafflecopter giveaway

I'll be contacting you ladies for your info ASAP, so keep a look out! Thank you so much again to every single lovely person who entered and to all of you who keep coming back to my little space on the internet. The fact that this many people even read my blog is still crazy to me. Always thankful. Always.

Until next time... ♡

Where I've Been: July/August

Mini hiatus = over.

I'm a blogger. I love this little space of mine. I put everything I've got into it, I really do. BUT, I think it's healthy to get away. When I'm spending time with those I love I think it's good to leave the internet for a bit. Breathing space is nice — especially because it's so easy to get up in the blogging world. Now that I'm back I thought it'd be fun to explain where I've been...

· I turned 24 and spent the weekend with some of the most amazing people I know
· New addition to my ever-growing Catbird stack: Teensy Evil Eye ring c/o my love
· Got a sweet new haircut
· I flew to Jersey to spend some time with my family — here until Aug 21! Yay!
· Celebrated my Grandpa's 75th birthday... with about five courses of real New Jersey Italian goodness.
· Bought my sister her first few bits of real makeup (and gave her a makeover)

I'm happy to be blogging again after this little break and plus: tomorrow I'm announcing the winner of my giveaway. So exciting. ♡