a little update ~

It feels so weird to not blog for almost two weeks now. My camera should hopefully arrive today or tomorrow (assuming this eBay seller hasn't totally screwed me over) so I should be back in no time. I'm missing it a lot, way more than I thought I would to be honest. It's a good feeling though. Just totally realizing that it's something you're really passionate about and really love doing. I pretty much feel like a piece of me is missing without my camera. Silly?

SO much going on in the next two weeks  — lots of fun posts to shoot and write, but also some not so fun things like knee surgery tomorrow /flail. Life is totally crazy sometimes. I literally just can not wait to be back into a regular posting schedule.

What has everyone been up to?!

moodboard: deux

“I’d woken up early and I took a long time getting ready to exist.”

· As I wait for my new camera to arrive, I shall moodboard...

My mind has been dreaming in pinks and peaches lately. Possibly even apricots too. Something about the spring and summer sun has me feeling more feminine than usual, and I can safely say that I do not mind one bit. I've been doing some soul searching as silly as that may sound to some, but I'm really enjoying it. Spending time to learn a bit more about yourself is so important in my eyes. This Jennifer Zeuner rose gold Mini Hamsa Bracelet is right up my alley and something I could see myself forever wearing. To match, I've fallen in love with yet another Catbird ring. This time it's a Teensy Ruby Ring by Bittersweets NY. Ruby is my birthstone and my favorite gemstone, and with my birthday coming up, how can I resist. Two simple pieces with a whole lot of meaning (to me).

Accessory wise I am literally head over heels in love with all things Marie Turnor. Beth Goodman's bags are absolutely gorgeous and I'm a huge sucker for beautiful leather. Her Snak and Picnic bags are no exception. Shoes? These very-out-of-my-shoe-price-range Chloé sandals. Not sure I could ever drop that much of a pair of sandals but they're Chloé so...

Beauty-wise, I'm stuck on Jouer. Their cosmetics are all just so beautiful and really appealing to me as of late. This is probably due to the fact that I'm really into naturally looking skin; light bases and just a sweep blush for the slightest pinch of color. Add a little mascara and I'm done. Their Bare Tint and Perfect Tan bronzer are among my current lusts. I also had no idea they did bath + body stuff but once I saw this Perfume Oil, I basically freaked.

photos via tumblr + itsnotheritsme

Rosebud Perfume Co. Rosebud Salve

Rosebud Perfume Co. Rosebud Salve / $6

The smell of roses in a vintage-inspired tin. One of the best products to pop on your lips at any sign of dryness or  dehydration. What's not to love? I picked this up on my way out of Sephora. You know how they put tons of cute little products right by the check-out? Sometimes I have the worst self-restraint. Oops.

I'd read quite a bit about this stuff before, about how good it was supposed to be on lips and other chapped bits. Apparently even burns and rough heels. Who would have thought? I mostly use this on my lips when I'm sat at home doing whatever it is that I'm doing. It provides a nice little bit of hydration and gloss, not too much and not too little. I think it's one of the best summertime "glosses" because it just barely adds a touch of color while keeping your lips feeling awesome in the hot months, and really, it's not a fussy product. No overly ridiculous stickiness or super sweet candy smells (don't get me wrong, I love me some sweet smelling glosses). Just a simple lip product for a simple makeup day.

This is also great to use before bedtime because waking up with super soft lips is one of the best feelings ever; no doubt about that. The only qualm I actually have with this product is (even though it's beautiful)... the tin. I hate sticking my fingers in a little pot of balm. It feels weird and unsanitary sometimes buuuuut I just found out they make a tube version of this now, so all is well. Win/win!

Have you guys tried this before? What are your favorite simple summer balms and glosses?

P.S. I might be a little less active in the next week or two. My camera is broken (RIP) so I won't be getting blogging done until I get a new one :( /sadtimes

Origins (for Men) Save the Males Moisturizer

Origins Save the Males Moisturizer / $36

Backstory: We were in England, staying in a hotel for Richard's grandparents Diamond Anniversary party. We leave the hotel a day later. Richard realizes he's left basically all of his skincare at the hotel. Massive freakout ensues (not really, but maybe). Amongst the lost ones was a pretty nice Kiehl's moisturizer we were both using... aka bummer city. So the night of Christmas Eve, I picked him up a bottle of this as a last resort as Kiehl's had closed ridiculously early in hopes it would be a good replacement.

He wasn't so sure about it at first, so I began to try and use it because well, why not. He warmed up to it fairly quickly after that, and so did I. Though I was mostly using Enzymion at the time because the English weather had turned my face into an oil-slick, when we came back home and my skin returned to a normal state, this became my #1 daily moisturizer. It lasted us quite a few months which is surprising but the moment we ran out and I was forced to use something else, my skin wasn't very happy. Now? We're all good.

My biggest issue with most moisturizers is that they sit on top of my skin. This absolutely does not do that. It's lightweight and sinks in nicely leaving me with the perfect amount of hydration. Not too much and not too little. It doesn't make me greasy at all (it's oil-free!), and seems to keep my skin in almost pristine condition. I have absolutely no qualms. It's also really great with Richard's super sensitive skin too, soooo I highly recommend it.

I don't even care in the slightest that this is marketed and made for men. It does the job I want it to do and I absolutely love it. No product discrimination here!

Ladies: have you ever tried a "men's product" that you ended up loving?

Accessory: ShoeMint Lynne Sandals

ShoeMint Lynne Sandals / $79.98

ShoeMint is one of those websites I thought I'd never like. No I know you're not supposed to judge a book by it's cover, but I'm not usually interested in the whole celeb-endorsed hand-picked shopping sites. For these though? I can most certainly put aside my differences. Plus, who can say no to leather?

I bought these about two months ago. I wear them almost every day and they're still in perfect condition. I'm gonna be honest and say I really do think they look better now; a little worn in, a little scratched up. The thing about me and shoes is this: I don't have many (have I mentioned I'm picky?) and those I do have, I really really love. Have I considered purchasing a back-up pair for the sad day when these finally give in? Absolutely. While that might seem excessive, for this pair it almost seems worth it.

They're comfortable. They're versatile. I wear them with disco pants and maxi skirts. Dresses and shorts. I've been asked countless times by random people where I got them, and each time I say with love, ShoeMint. I consider these a staple in my collection now. The type of shoe I couldn't imagine being with out, and the best kind of shoe to fall back on when I'm being ever-so indecisive about my daily footwear. Basically they're everything you could want from a strappy flat sandal. Once again, I'm in love.

Moral of the story? Don't judge a website by it's celeb affiliations because you might just find yourself with a new favorite pair of kicks.

What do you guys think?!