Popbasic: Salut!

Popbasic Salut!* / $85

If there ever were a micro-collection that totally epitomizes me as a person, this would be (and is) it. Is that a surprise? For those who know me, probably not. French, France, you know the drill.

First, this beautiful little breton shirt. The quality is ridiculous, in a really good way. You know when you find a shirt that's just so soft and comfortable that you basically just want to live in it, and probably do? That's me with this shirt. For the record, I've basically worn this shirt every day since receiving it — not even exaggerating, Richard would totally vouch for this. I've never owned a striped shirt a la Françoise Hardy or Jean Seberg mostly because I couldn't find on that seemed authentic enough. Soft enough. Whatever, enough. This little number is perfect. It hits every nail on the head and totally knocks the ball out of the park. If you could stick your hand through the screen to feel, I'd let you. Promise.

I'm not really a fan of gold buuuuut there's something about this gold link necklace that just works so well with the tee. It feels solid, which I really like. It's a piece that will last and a piece that will add a little bit of something to any edging-on-plain-but-still-chic outfit. Also, I'm a sucker for anything linked or chain-like.

THE CLUTCH. You know how when you see others with something you kind of want it too? That's how I've always felt about clutches. Everyone has a cute one that suits them... but I seem to never be able to find one. But oh, Miss M. must have put some serious thought into this one. The leather is gorgeous; it smells sooooo good. Weird? Okay. The color is what got me though — it's the perfect shade of almost-camel brown which reminds me oh so much of my Taylor Bag. A little darker, but still in the same brown family which totally makes me swoon. I love leather in summer too.

Popbasic is fresh out of size L, but still has XS/S/M in stock. Just a tip: I normally wear a size medium, but this time the small was what worked (aka order a size down if you think it'd work for you, unless you like your shirts a bit baggy). The small is a bit tighter while still leaving room to breathe and be comfy.

What do you guys think? Will you be ordering this micro-collection? NOW TAKE ME BACK TO PARIS. Listen.

OPI Samoan Sand

 OPI Samoan Sand / $6

Last week I found and lusted (hard) over a very very lovely nude polish, which I featured in my latest moodboard. Nude colors are just so chic to me, but as a pale and yellow toned gal, I find it hard to find the right nude to suit my skin. When I saw this photo of Samoan Sand however, I was absolutely, totally, whole-heartedly convinced.

Nudes remind me of France. Maybe it's because of how effortlessly delicate yet dignified they are. Maybe it's because the idea of nude polish paired with a Breton shirt makes me want to be sipping wine at some café in Paris discussing who knows what with the love of my life. Something un-ironically romantic and chic, and not in a try-hard sort of way. Things like that just make so sense in my mind to the point where I might obsess over the idea until it becomes a reality in my life.

Samoan Sand is above all things, flattering. It's not too yellow or pink; I find that most nudes are more one than the other (usually pink) but this is truly and genuinely, a neutral. It's the kind of color that is a statement in and of itself. While it's not a bright blue or mint green, it's somehow still alluring in quite the same way. Your eyes are drawn to the lack of contrast between nail color and skin tone. To me, this is honestly the perfect nail color ever. One that will never go out of style or be considered tacky — it's very elegant and ever so slightly provocative, as flesh tones can sometimes be.

The formula is wonderful and painting was a total breeze as the OPI brushes are near perfect, size and all. I'm hoping the lasting power of this is as great as I remember it to be, although I'm sure that I'll be wearing this daily for the next few months so I won't mind if I have to every 5 days. I haven't really used any OPI polishes in a while, but they make me nostalgic for middle school and high school when I used to go to my mom to her favorite nail salon and get myself a set of pretty acrylics.

I'm more of an au-naturale kind of girl now, as you can tell.

MAC Patisserie

MAC Patisserie / $15

You might frequently hear people (or well, mostly bloggers?) talking about the lipstick that is "their lips but better". A lipstick that just almost matches your natural lip color but just with a little oomph — whether it be a bit brighter, darker, whatever. For a really long time I thought I wouldn't find a color that seemed to be "made for me", but alas the day finally came. Patisserie. The first MAC lipstick I ever bought before swatching because I was just so sure I'd love it. Maybe it was the name that did it for me. I'll admit I'm a sucker.

Patisserie is a really gorgeous nude-but-not pink with the slightest hint of brown. It's sheer, it's creamy, and it's incredible. It's one of those colors that you can grab and throw on without a mirror and it just looks good with, well,  e v e r y t h i n g. Daytime, nighttime, dressed up, dressed casually — it all works. There's just something about it that I absolutely adore. It's almost too easy to love. 

I think it's safe to say that Patisserie is my all time favorite MAC lipstick ever. For now... 

The Perfect Cut

December: It was the longest my hair had been in years and I wasn't sure what to do with it. I saw photos of myself and the long bangs and layers left a lot to be desired. My face looked long, my hair lacked that specific something I'd been looking to achieve, so I headed to the salon. Leaving with a not-so-great and pretty boring cut I was left to figure out what to do next. I had some ideas but wasn't sure about the execution. Where to go? What inspiration to bring? I knew what I wanted, but would it suit me? Then along came yesterday. 

Give me a Godard film and I'll melt like your favorite lipstick on a hot summer's day. My heart beats for that stuff. I yearn to be so effortlessly chic and cool; the hair, the makeup, everything. I wasn't blessed enough to have been born in the 60's in the midst of the new wave movement, I'm no Parisienne (yet), but I'll be damned if I can't try to achieve that hair.

I head to the salon with a knot in my chest because while I know it won't be drastic, I know it'll be different from what it's been the last 3 years of my life. However this time, it will be exactly what I've craving those past three years. I show my new stylist a few photos and we get to talking, she gets it, I'm feeling good. After a cup of licorice tea, a scalp massage and a good 'ol washing, the scissors appeared and bit by bit my longish locks fell to the floor. An hour later I had -2 inches of the length and bangs. At first I was pretty shocked because it was so different to me. An hour after? Unsure/slight regret/help. Six hours later? I'm eating swiss + butter and bouncing around to this.

I've finally achieved my one hair goal. The hair goal. While I may not be perfectly channeling Françoise, it's enough for me and I'm in love. 

Photos via x, x, x / Shirt via Popbasic*