Earth Girls are Easy

I realized my jewellery box is growing stuffed with celestial goodies lately. What better way to show them off than to take them out a parsec? (Via Photobooth, of course – who do you take me for, Lance Bass?)

These little gems from Big Tinsel are brand new to me – in fact, they were hand-delivered by their maker, Maria, just this past weekend (such service!). I can tell already these lightweight lovelies will be a staple in my regular rotation. If you'd like your own pair, move fast! They're on clearance and worth all 600 pennies.

What a space cadet I am here, but seriously, that Vulcan pose took all my concentration. This cuff is a neat find I got at Catbird in Brooklyn, a site I'd admired a long time online and was so excited to stumble on during my trip in June. You'll be spoiled for choice but I was taken by this Astrological Cuff by Julie Nolan – it's got my astrological constellation (Leo) drilled through the brushed brass. Here's a better shot, from Julie's Etsy shop.

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You can really see how the brushed treatment makes it extra sparkly, just what you need for a little celestial magic. You can also see I'm wearing my new favourite pinky ring, which is really just a little ring of plumbing brass I got for 40 cents. Yes, I do my jewelry shopping at the hardware store too – earth girls are earthy too, I guess.

Hey look ma, no hands in space! This one is my absolute favourite piece right now – I've been wearing it every other day at least, and find it gives just enough structure to those shapeless sack dresses I've been living in this summer. It's from designers Ax & Apple and I got it at delicious gallery/shop Magic Pony (an indulgence only made possible because of a gift card from helping out on my boyfriend's film shoot). It was inspired by armor designs and gives a grounding space to those airier, soft structured looks I wear so often. It doesn't look like Magic Pony carries it anymore, but they've got a few other similar pieces and A&A has ones left on their site (and they offer it in steel too! Oooohhh...)

Last but not least, I picked up these dudes from Urban Outfitters a while ago – I normally try to avoid shopping there, but I saw these, didn't buy them and regretted it immensely, so when I happened to stop back in two weeks later and there was only one pair left, I knew what I had to do. Really, I'm just angry at myself for not grabbing a pair of We Never Sleep's amazing earrings in the crescent family last year. These ones do have a fun teardrop panel that is cream marble on the front and black enamel on the back, so they are super fun when they're swinging.

A Working Girl's Guide to Not Looking Like Shit: Josie Maran Argan Oil

via Sephora

Sometimes the key to looking good is all about getting to a point where you don’t feel the need to wear as much makeup. Isn’t that the end goal anyways? Nobody wants to keep up the “zit spackling routine” they developed in high school, and since we’re evolving our habits should too, right?

 So apart from the obvious requirements of actually washing your face before bed and taking your iron supplements, you can add one more non-committal step to your daily routine: Josie Maran Argan Oil. Beauty oil has been the talk of the town for some time now, and the cool thing about it is you can use the product literally anywhere you want. Why the eff have we been buying lotion SPECIFICALLY for our face when we could’ve been buying oil and putting it EVERYWHERE. Your face! Your nails! Your hair! Argan oil’s multi-purpose applications are truly a dream. I’ve also started to notice a big difference in how I look sans make-up, way more fresh faced in the mornings, which means I can take it easy on the foundation. Once applied, argan oil doesn't feel greasy in the least bit. It's actually known for it's anti-aging properties. If you need more proof, just look at Josie Maran's face (HANDSOME!).

Of course, the only issue here is price. A small .5 oz bottle will come up to $14, which is fine because you are just trying it out, and you’re too young to commit. Unfortunately, if you find yourself falling in love with the product and want to bulk barn it, going up a scale in size to the 1.7 oz comes up to $48. Major bleh, but thank goodness for Sephora travel size samples.

By Navi Lamba

Did you miss Navi's last Working Girl's Guide? Do not fear—you can read it here.

Review: July 2012 Glymm Box

While Amanda has been doing Luxe box reviews forever now, I was never that impressed with them; for a while now I've been looking to try a different kind of monthly sample box. I heard really great things about Glymm from the owner of beauty line who has worked with them and said that they really had their shit together. And after looking at the Glymm site (which is awesome (a magazine, a blog, and a place where you can actually shop for the products you love) and what they are doing on social media (engaging and listening, not just pushing out content) I decided on my next candidate.

Glymm is $12 a month and gets shipped around mid month.

The packaging might not be as pretty as the little black Luxe Box, but it's what on the inside that counts.

The little orange nylon bag is perfect for people like me who hoard little makeup bags. 

And here are the goods. Quite a nice little package.

First up we got a little pot of exfoliator from Dirt. It smells amazing and is best used on your face. It's got a really grainy texture, and when you rinse it off it leaves a nice layer of moisture that you have to wash off. It left my skin feeling insanely soft, not greasy at all, and I'm still feeling the effects a few days later. This was definitely my fave product of the bunch.

I am under the belief that a lot of hair creams do exactly the same thing, and if it's doing that thing right, it'll keep your hair healthy, untangly, and somewhat shiny. I use all these creams and oils somewhat interchangeably and don't notice much of a difference—but I prefer products like this that you rinse out in the shower. 

I was super sceptical when I saw that this hair perfume was vanilla scented (though 14-year-old me would have been psyched). I'm not much of a scent person to begin with, and a scent for your hair seems totally unnecessary. But I wanted to try it before I knocked it, and when I was walking home after a 9-hour day and my subtly sweet-smelling hair blew in my face, I was surprised in a really nice way. It was like a stop and smell the flowers moment. Would I ever buy this product? No. But I'll definitely use this little spray vial, especially before the summer's out.

I know Cyber Derm by reputation. They focus on a "new kind of moisture formula" with more medically safe and cosmetically trendy ingredients. They focus on different skin needs of their customers—this sample came with a hydrating sunscreen and a PM anti-age. This stuff is scentless and doesn't leave any kind of residue. It's a but unclear that this stuff is moisturizer and not sunscreen—honestly, it would have felt like the best sunscreen ever—which makes me curious and want to try more of Cyber Derm's stuff. Some reviews I've read are pretty negative about the packaging, but I think it's hilarious and it helps the product to stand out.

And lastly, a coupon for 25% nail polish on the website. I'm assuming it's a one-time thing, but seeing as they offer Butter and RGB, I'm pretty into it. 

You can read more about all the products on their website. 

If you like what you see and want to try out a Glymm box, please use my referral link HERE to sign up.

You can check out all these pins and more on my 

Sweaters, brunch foods, and tiny apartments

A couple things I'm serious about lately:

Those Jonathan Saunders waffley knit sweaters 

I got a sweater similar to these from Amanda's castoffs, though it's in a much more neutral brown and greige. These pastel hues are making me dream of walks on cool-ish days with a coffee and a pair of big sunglasses.

via Susie Bubble

This baked French Toast recipe
I love everything that comes from the Sweet Potato Chronicles blog, and a pre-made, challah-bread, berry-topped French Toast is no exception. I would make a slight change to the recipe, though, and would include some super crispy bacon on top.

via Sweet Potato Chronicles

This blog feature about living in small spaces

Reading my Tea Leaves talks about life in a tiny apartment, and I follow her advice religiously (since I can't think of anything more useful myself). This post—which you should totally check out yourselves—is about changing up the artwork on your walls or having a little gallery wall, showcasing the art that inspires you the most. I also love the post about hiding your clutter, buying beautiful cleaning supplies, and store thoughtfully.

via Reading My Tea Leaves

Eclipse

If I've seen you sometime in the past week, I've probably talked your ear off about the new Vietnamese sub-inspired shop I've been to five times in the past two weeks, Banh Mi Boys. What is a banh mi, you ask?

Well, this.
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A crusty baguette topped with sandwich meat, pickled carrot and daikon, cucumber, mayo and cilantro, among other things. Traditionally, they're very cheap, but Banh Mi Boys goes a little more upscale, offering panko tofu, kalbi beef, squid and duck confit options, as well as taco or bao (steamed bun) versions. My favourite is the five spice pork belly, which is slightly crispy on the outside and so, so ridiculously tender inside. Well, that, and a split order of the kimchi fries, which is basically a Vietnamese poutine with kimchi, pulled pork, mayo and fresh green onions over crispy fries. Oh god, just thinking about it has my mouth watering. If you're in the Queen/Spadina area of Toronto, this is must try.

ed note: Oh look! Laura loves this place too! She wrote a review about it here.

Speaking of food, if you've ever asked the question, "Is this still good?" about some jar you've stumbled across in your fridge, your new best friend is a site called Still Tasty.

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Touting itself as the ultimate shelf life guide, it gives you recommendations on how best to store various foods and when to know when to fold 'em and toss away. It seems very based in common sense, offering tips on how to tell if an item's still okay, as best before dates are usually just when a food's quality is at its aesthetic peak, not when it's actually still edible.


The AV Club's been hitting my sweet spot lately and this week, it's with a walkthrough of the stories behind cultural gem Freaks and Geeks with creator Paul Feig.

via

It's one of those cancelled-after-one-season, never-given-the-chance-it-deserved, voice-of-a-generation type shows that transcends the hype and feels real in a way so few series are able to articulate: it's equal parts innocent, awkward, miserable and ecstatic. In short, it feels like puberty. And, as the interviews reveal, it's an interesting case of art-imitating-life, as Feig admits much of the show was based on his personal experiences and those of the other writers. It's been a great way to revisit one of my favoruite series, and it's totally got me in the mood to watch it all over again. See interview parts one / two / three / four / five here.

I use my Baggu every day, but I may have to retire my current fave in neon poppy to make way for a few new prints, including this moon one, labelled with all the phases of the lunar cycle. Now I'll never have to guess what a waning gibbous looks like again!

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Some faves 'round these parts have been at it again – Fieldguided has a released a new collection called Light as a Feather, a set of four gorgeous huge silk scarves printed with photos taken in the late 1800s. The dream team of Anja from Clever Nettle and Megan of Summerland photographed and styled them into mystical perfection. I'm trying to convince myself that a $120 silk scarf of an ice cave is a good investment, oui?

To see more beautiful images, check Clever Nettle and the Fieldguided blog, shop and Flickr!

Spring Inspiration

Take a look at these carefully curated spring-inspired pics and tell me that you're not in an instantly better mood!

Mint caddy (it will be mine!) via Family Style

Calla Fall 2012 digi-print via Fashionista

Rhubarb walnut bread via So Good and Tasty

Sold out gold chrome iPhone case via Shopbop

April77 x Calla denim via Hearty Magazine

Vintage wooden bench via Howe London

Raw leather backpack via Pour Porter

Homemade Mexican horchata via AverieCooks

Ice cream still life via ThussFerrell

Ombre tights via BZR

Sun-drenched Spring

Somehow we just skipped ahead to summer. Time warp? Season swap? Whatever, I’m not going to question it too closely – my favourite lightweight pants have just come out of hibernation, I actually got a little sunburn on Sunday and I’m getting to test run some warmer weather wear I’ve been hoarding.

A few more things to make it feel a bit more like summer:

This awesome Notorious B.I.G./Lana Del Rey mixtape, Born Ready to Die. 16 tracks of straight-up summertime jams. You sure can bet this’ll be in regular rotation on my picnic blanket.

via calivintage

This look from Boutique by Jaeger SS12 is pretty much my summer ideal. Big hair, big lips, little clothes, solid shoes. The only things that could push this look over the edge is a pair of massive Karen Walker sunnies, like this new version of her ever-wonderful Number Ones.

via Karen Walker

Dream dress alert! Oh ASOS, you're so bad and yet so good for me.

via ASOS

My favourite lowbrow summer beverage, kalimotxo. Half red wine, half Coca-Cola (or in my case, Diet Coke. Can't quit, won't quit), it sounds horrendous but tastes amazing, like sangria concentrate. Don't knock it 'til you try it, friends.

via International Recipe Syndicate

Are you reviving any favourite summer activities early?

Left Field

I suppose if anything could unite the list of things that are inspiring me lately, it's getting the details right: pairing the right colours, the right little flourishes, achieving a harmonious balance.

This bathroom popped up on my Pinterest a couple days ago and I've been dreaming of it ever since. The seafoam and rust colour combo, the standalone soaker tub (siiiiiiigh), and the massive stag head pretty much tickle all my homey bones. And guys! Guess what! It's a real place in Ireland that you can stay! Ballyvolane House of Cork, you're pretty alright.

I've been curious to try these Ballet Beautiful videos as a supplement to my ballet classes – my favourite upper body stretch is great for loosening my shoulders but I'd like to start strengthening all my parts more regularly. Has anyone tried these? Are they as good as they look?

I know, I'm cruel. But how's a gal supposed to focus on getting in shape for her short shorts when Smitten Kitchen goes around posting things like this fried egg sandwich with bacon and blue cheese, huh? Completely unfair, that's what it is. At least it's got veggies in it, I GUESS (but, oh yeah, they're tossed in bacon fat, uh huh).

I'm obsessed with the details of the new Scout & Catalogue Rorschach scarves – all those little hidden skeletons and kitten heads and butterflies captured in a silky, silvery neutral. To top it off, the duo behind Fieldguided did a beautiful job photographing S&C's boho, beachy vibe for the lookbook. (You can see the process to create the scarves here, and more shots from the lookbook here.)

As usual, the Purl Bee knocks one out of the park with this two-tone crocheted cowl. Once I finish the shawl that shall not end, this'll likely be the next thing I cast on. (Is it still called casting on when it's crochet? "Playing hooky?")

Being known as someone who's fairly fearless about wearing crazy nails means you get lots of nail tutorials passed your way. My favourite of late is this one from Refinery 29, based on a print from Rag & Bone 'cause it looks like knitting (thanks for the tip-off, Kim!) But dear lord, is it ever hard to do! I tried it, then ended up starting over and doing this beach blanket/licorice allsorts mani instead, because I was watching Khloe & Lamar and why complicate life further, you know? And then I animated it. Why? Seche Vite fumes, that's why.

As always, you can see what I'm digging in realtime on Pinterest.

Spring, is that you?

While it's still the end of February, the temperature (at least in Michigan, where I'm spending some time) is feeling very spring like. So why am I still feeling so cold and bored and cooped up? I am ready for the spring, ready for the lighter jackets, warm sunshine, and I'm ready to wear cute shoes again.

I can't make spring come faster but I can pretend that it's here already. Here are some pics that get me in the springtime mood.

via feedmyego

Ellery et Graz via feedmyego

Garage Magazine

via vanessajackman

via loveraedar