New at The 'Crew

My current objects of desire at the holy land- J Crew....

The Tailored Trouser Chino- what a beautiful cut. So chic. The graphite is gorgeous and so it the sandstone. Love.

Striped Captain's T- without the pixelated stripes though

The Boyfriend Military jacket- I love it in olive green.

Antique Ruffle Top- all the colors are to die for

Corduroy Pencil skirt- OMG! Could there be an item more perfect for me? Love corduroy. Love pencil skirts. Loooove J Crew!

I love them all- the graphite, aubergine and the pecan. How do I decide?

Look-a-Likey

Its always kind of strange when someone tells you that you look like so-and-so celebrity.

I commonly get told I look like....

A "young" Susan Sarandon. People always throw in "young".

Drew Barrymore

And most frequently, Uma Thurman.

Recently, The Man Who Signs My Paycheck told me that I look like Cameron Diaz. I just don't see it. However, I think because my name is the same as one of her movie characters and The Man WSMP is easily confused by blond women. We all look the same.

All of these ladies are beautiful and its a compliment to look like any of them. However, I don't think I do. And none of them look like each other, how does that make me look like them all?

Beauty Booty: Burt's Bees

I am a huge fan of Burt's Bees products. I always have a beeswax lipbalm on me at all times and at least 2 more backup packages in the drawer at home. I can't live without it. I don't get paid by Burt's in any way, I just love their stuff!

A few of my other Burt's Bees favorites...

Much like the lipbalm, I'm pretty sure I might die without Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream. This stuff is amazing, especially for those of us who live in dry climates- our cuticles tend to dry out rapidly and that gives us hangnails. This is like a little bit of lemon pie heaven for your fingers. Sometimes if I can't find my lipbalm I smear a little on my lips too. No worries- its 100% natural!

Also a great product for dry skin sufferers is the Orange Essence Facial Cleanser. I adore citrus products and this stuff smells good enough to eat (don't though. Doesn't taste so good. Trust me. Though you could if you wanted as it is also 100% natural). It smells like a jar of orange juice concentrate. It has a fabulously smooth texture and cleanses without stripping the skin. Nothing left but a smooth soft face that smells like a fresh juicy orange. Note to self: I need a refill, I've run out. *despair*

Compared to the Orange Essence Cleanser, this is not as citrusy. For some reason I always think of it as Carrot Facial Scrub, instead of Citrus. Instead of a strong tart smell, it has a wonderful spicy clove/orange zest/carrot cake scent. Regardless, it has an amazing scrub; rough enough to get the job done without leaving your skin feeling like it just went through a wood chipper. I love to scrub this all over my face in the shower and then rub it over my neck and decollete as I rinse. I jar of this lasts forever.

More of my favorite products, from other brands as well, coming soon!

Eeny Meeny

Super pretty lap top totes from Etsy seller Janine King

And sleeves from seller Lollington




seller Bertie's Closet

How can I possibly choose one? They're all so pretty... I just can't decide!

Hi Pretty!

MINE!

No Poo

A bunch of my 'net friends have been trying a new technique with their hair inspired by the Curly Girl Method. My straight fine hair has never, nor will it ever be considered curly, however I am all for anything that requires 1) less product 2) less effort and 3) more prettiness so I wanted to jump on the band wagon too and follow the Curly Girls. The gist of the Curly Girl Method (also known as No Poo or CG) is to not use shampoo or any products with silicones but to use conditioner and a vigorous rubbing method on your scalp to clear away the grungies from your hair. The sulfates in shampoo is apparently too damaging for delicate hair.

My straight fine blond spiderweb I call hair doesn't hold product well. I constantly battle both grease and dryness- I have schizophrenia of hair. I have to wash everyday or else its really limp and sad. Then I also torture it daily with both a blow drier and straightening iron. Poor hair. Trying to tame it with conditioner only seemed risky but I'm always up for a challenge. I figure I can't really make my hair look worse most days.

Behold! Before my hair is fine and limp. You can tell its a little greasy. Please note in this picture we are being douchebags, you can tell by the popped collars and kissy-wips. Also please note the adorable cuteness of my Mister with his unshaven stubble face.

Behold! Over a week into the No Poo method and I am feeling groovy. My hair is soft and though it doesn't have much body (it really doesn't ever have much body) I don't get the prerequisite mid-afternoon-hair-in-a-ponytail oilslick. I'm obviously very pleased and I'm going to try to keep the No Poo up for a while and see where it goes. I've heard of people not using shampoo for years. Once their tresses get used to it, there's no going back

More updates to come!

Gap Geishas

I'm on the fence when it comes to Japanese culture. I love sushi but can't get on board with Hello Kitty. Harajuku style and crazy story-telling videos games leave me cold. But obviously I adore Japanese watercolor painting. Tiny hotel pods and heated bidet technology fascinates me. What can I say? I can't explain it.

One thing I really love are Japanese geishas. I love geishas in art and tattoo style. My mom has a beautiful geisha doll she bought in Japan in 1969 that I was obsessed with as a child. I could look but was never permitted to open her glass cases and touch her. She still lives on my mother's mantle, though her glass case was broken some time ago, she's as beautiful as I remember. I think geishas are so beautiful and mysterious.

I really like the idea of geishas having tattoos. Something about the idea of having this beautiful art hidden under a heavy kimono really intrigues me. I thinks its very sexy, not in the way that I want a geisha; more like I want to BE a geisha. I like to hide my tattoos and surprise people with them. Mystery and subtlety are sexy. Plus I just like tattoo style images. So when I saw this today at the Gap, I understandably went nuts!

So pretty. Its from the Product (Red) Yoku Shimizu line and I fell in love.

Unfortunately, I need new work clothes and this just couldn't cut it. I couldn't justify a $35 Tshirt when I need other things first. Disappointing but I'm going to try and stalk it for a sale.