I'm Going To . . .

New York City! In about three weeks I'll be back in NYC for the first time in a looong time! What should I do when I get there?
I'll be staying in the Tribeca Grand Hotel (which provides pet goldfish, ha!) :

I'll also be seeing, thanks to a producer friend,  American Idiot  and maybe La Cage aux Folles. It looks like I've just missed seeing Kelsey Grammar and Douglas Hodge, which is a let down. However, they have been replaced by Jeffery Tambor , Harvey Fierstein and as a bonus - Wilson Jermaine Heredia (the original Angel in Rent )! 

I should probably do other things than hang around theatres on the short four days I'll be there. I'd love some shopping suggestions! I'll probably hit up some favorites like MAC and Kate Spade (Hey, I live in IOWA. We have a limited selection here!) I have a vague goal to find an amazing vintage jewelry store, but we'll see where my wandering takes me. 

I also want to have a real black and white cookie. It sounds stupid, but I've never had one and I figure there is no better place in the world to find a good one! 

So, there's my grand plan - watch some shows, shop around and eat a cookie. Pretty good way to spend a few days! 

Best of Fall/Winter '11 Fashion

. . . Out of the few collections I've seen, that is!
Two things are clear to me- the 70s are back and I need more blue dresses!

Bibhu Mohapatra


Badgley Mischka


Carolina Herrera


Carlos Miele


Diane Von Furstenberg

I'm excited to see what other designers have come up with (more blue, please!), but I'm about to take a much needed coffee/email break in an effort to be a little bit productive. What dress do you like best?!
All images taken from Elle UK . 

If This Doesn't Get This Guy a Date . . .

 . . . then I don't know what else will. Looks like Taylor Swift has someone who really wants to be her Valentine! Adam Young, of the band Owl City, has been rumored to be the subject of Taylor's song Enchanted and he took this Valentine's Day to respond: 

Dearest Taylor,


I'll be the first to admit I'm a rather shy boy and since music is the most eloquent form of communication I can muster, I decided to record something for you — as sort of a "reply" to the breathtaking song on your current record. This is want I wanted so badly to tell you in person but could never quite put into words.


Everything about you is lovely. You're an immensely charming girl with a beautiful heart and more grace and elegance than I know how to describe. You are a true princess from a dreamy fairy tale, and above all, I just want you to know..I was enchanted to meet you too.


Love, Adam

Not only that, but he recorded a special version of Enchanted for Taylor and posted it on his band's website today!

For a self-titled "shy boy" - that was one bold move! So sweet!

Happy V Day!

Will you be my Valentine, Hammy?

Aaaaanyway, in my real life I went shopping on Saturday and got some great stuff!
I got a  $130 dress for $18 and a Nine West bag for $5! Thank you, Younkers yellow dot sale! Actually, I was shopping with my mom so MY total was $0. Thanks, Mom.
I also got some more MAC!
I now have the Wonder Woman for MAC blush in Amazon Princess:

This thing is huge! A lot of the collection is jumbo-sized and the blushes are about the same size as a regular MAC Skin Finish powder. It will last me forever. I thought about getting the jumbo Penultimate Eyeliner, but decided I would just get the regular sized one because I thought it would be easier to build up to a thick line rather than try to lightly draw a thin one. I tried it out this morning and now I'm not so sure! I think I may need some more practice, but I do think I like both pens over my gel pot liner, which is a big deal! 

I also got eyeshadow in Club. This shade is one of MAC's bestsellers, but I wasn't convinced until I saw this Pixiwoo tutorial :

I can't wait to try it out!

Google Art Project

Google Art Project  is AMAZING! The site is an extension of Google Maps, but takes you into some of the best museums in the world! As an Art History Minor - I'm beyond thrilled! I've always held that access to art is vital and should always be FREE. Art Project allows users to experience beautiful works that they otherwise would not be able to see.  There are so many features to choose from, check out  the video about the features below:

I'm totally mesmerized by this site! I've been exploring the Uffizi Gallery for the last couple of days, trying to absorb all that I can - and I've been there in person- TWICE! Being able to see works so close is such a luxury. I am discovering a new appreciation for artists and techniques that I did not have before.
For example, I was not such a fan of the well-known Botticelli painting "The Birth Of Venus". Look how Art Project changes my viewing experience of a painting that I studied in class and experienced in person:

This is about as close as you can get in the gallery. That is, when you aren't waiting for a spot in front of the painting -it's very popular! 

Here is "textbook" version of the painting.

Here is one of Venus' eyes thanks to Google Art Project. It's so beautiful! I love seeing all the different minuscule marks on the iris that I could have never seen before. I knew the painting was complicated - but seeing all the work that went into it - WOW. The best part of all is that I can save all the sections I love and build a collection with my Google account!

What are you waiting for? Go check out the site and start building your collection! 

I'm Going To . . .

BAHRAIN! I just booked my tickets last night! Although my friend's wedding is MANY months away, I'm sure I'll find some great travel themed goodness to write about here before then!

P.S.- Bahrain is here:

My Beauty Pet Peeve

I'm currently shopping around for makeup brushes as it's been a few years since I bought new ones. I'd love recommendations, btw! There are so many more quality options now then there were just a couple years ago! I'm seriously confused after reading several articles about MAC vs Sigma vs Sephora vs EcoTools, etc. During my research I did run into a weird trend in makeup brushes. What is up with double-ended brushes?

I've seen these all over websites and stores and I just do not get it. How do you store these or keep them clean? How do you travel with them? Is there some sort of special brush roll for this? If any of you have these and love them - please explain it to me! 

Glamadazzle Giveaway!

Here is another great  beauty giveaway happening on GlamaDazzle ! For the chance to win over $1000 worth of NARS and Urban Decay products, it's well worth the two minutes it takes to enter! I'm especially excited about the UD 24/7 liner kit! By now you know they are my favorite liners and this set has the special edition color, Perversion. Perversion is twice as black as Zero, it's only sold with this kit and I WANT IT!! The giveaway also has the much coveted Urban Decay Naked Palette , which Sephora and Ulta can barely keep in stock! Check out the rest of the loot here !

Pops of PINK!

Last year I confessed to you my strange and surprising love of yellow. Well, this year I've gotten over my unfounded avoidance of the color pink!

What I especially love about this room are the unique groupings - trophies, paint brushes, bell jars and mirrors!

Just for fun, from my favorite A. Hepburn movie - "Funny Face" (the epitome of singing and dancing for no real reason) !

* All images taken from Elle Decor, Apartment Therapy and Design Sponge .

Early Valentine Love

After this monster snow storm, I think now is the perfect time to get into the Valentine's spirit and start spreading a little joy with some SUGA! Remember how awesome Valentine's day was in elementary school? Well, there is a way to get creative with V-Day treats for your co-workers that doesn't involve sparkle hearts, Power Rangers or an eventual meeting with an HR rep.

These flowers look great all bunched together and you've done something nice for someone with about ten minutes worth of effort and for less than five dollars! If you are feeling extra-fancy, you could even try making Cake Pops . 

I found the image for this post at Kind Over Matter, a really great blog that has a whole freebie craft section to help you share some nice with everyone in your life! The printable pattern PDF for the flowers can be found here. 

P.S.- You don't have to wait for a holiday to express a little niceness! The more unexpected the better! What's your favorite way to spread some random kindness?