When Life Throws You Curveballs

"You don't develop courage by being happy in your relationships everyday. You develop it by surviving difficult times and challenging adversity." -Epicurious

It's hard for me to talk about things.

Sometimes I want to talk.

Sometimes I don't.

I can't let difficulties keep me from living.

I can't let sad situations keep me from doing things I love.

Family isn't always fun.

It definitely isn't easy.

Sometimes it seems impossible.

Happiness is:

Seeing others' joy.

A good night's sleep.

Knowing you're doing the absolute best you can.

Beauty Round-Up

I'm definitely not a beauty buff. My hair is usually a mess (except I just got it done-pictures to come!) and I wear the same make-up every day. If I go out, I put a little brown eye-liner on. Exciting! Not. As clueless as I am, I love products, which I know I get from my mother. When I went to visit her last month, I played in the drawers and drawers of lotions and potions and hair products and every bit make-up imaginable. Most of the products I love, I've gotten from her as presents. Here are some of my favorites. What do you girls/guys use?

Neutrogena Acne Stress Control Gel

I don't even have acne and I love this stuff. I don't know what it is but it makes my skin so smooth!

Serious Skin Care Glycolic Cleanser

If I am having any breakouts, this clears my skin SO quickly.

Ole Henriksen On the Go Cleanser

This is my every-day cleanser. It makes me feel clean without drying my skin out.

Ojon Rub-Out Dry Cleanser

This is the best dry shampoo! You have to literally rub it on your head for a few minutes and you will have serious volume.

Neutrogena T-Sal Shampoo

With all the products I use, I love the feel like my scalp is super clean.

Sephora Lash and Eyebrow Mascara

They only make this in Clear now! So sad. Anastasia has one but it's much more expensive :(

Sephora Light Touch Highlighter

This is a pretty good version of YSL's Touche Eclat.

Nivea Chapstick

It smells delish, has SPF, and a decent amount of color. What more could you ask for?

Biolage Hydrating Balm

My hair needs all the hydrating it can get.

CoverGirl Lash Blast

The only drugstore make-up I use is mascara. This one is great!

Pantene Frizz to Smooth Conditioner

It does its best for under $5.00 to tame my hair!

L'Oreal Elnett Satin Hairspray

I've expressed my love.

Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer

This is perfect for summer and makes my skin feel amazing!

bareMinerals Warm Radiance

I love the all-over natural glow.

"that gal": Benefit Brightening Primer

I don't know if it does anything but I love the way it smells and maybe it keeps my make-up on longer?

Tarte Cheek Stain in Sheer Berry Rose

I've had this FOREVER. It lasts so long! I take it with me and use it on cheeks and lips in a pinch.

I'm a Loser

OK, I know I'm not a loser. I've been living in NYC mostly sans any help since I was 18. No one paid for my rent or school. My mom or dad usually pay my phone bill and sometimes books or a medical expense when I need it but they aren't made of money. I'm 25 now and even though I'm still in school, taking my slow-ass time and working full time, I HATE asking for money. I had to suck it up and ask my mom to pay my cable bill and it is quite depressing. I know she doesn't mind but it makes me feel horrible, like I can't get my shit together. My roommates' parents pay everything for them (they're 22-23.) It's no big deal for them and they are really awesome girls. For some reason, it hurts my soul to take money from my mom. I know a lot of adults, I'm an adult but like 30s, whose parents paid for a down payment on an apartment, a student loan or two, etc. When is the last time you asked for money? How did you feel? Do you think 25 is WAY too old? What's the cut-off until you're a loser? :(

Back to Brooklyn

I had a great time with my mom and grandma this week in St. Louis. That's why I've been a bit MIA. It felt really good to get out of the city and lay around watching all of season 3 of Friday Night Lights (Ah.Ma.Zing) and go suburban shopping. I got exciting deals at Kohl's (I have a Simply Vera obsession: see above dress) and all the thrift stores. My mom knows about some seriously awesome spots.

My grandma thinks I'm a little crazy but she loves me :)

My mom is wearing her Mother's Day present from yours truly with a really cool handmade ring that she bought both of us.

This sweet little creature and her sister caused me to take a whole box of Benedryl. I was drugged the whole trip! Stupid allergies. But I love animals.

Did you do anything over the holiday weekend? Staycation or did you get out of town?

What's Your Airport Style?

I'm flying to visit my mom in St. Louis tomorrow and every time I fly, I wonder what to wear on the plane. Should I be comfortable and sort of cute in Lululemon yoga pants, Nike's, a tee shirt and a cardi? Or should I wear a dress with leggings and sensible heels with a boyfriend blazer? I wish I could look like this! Skinny jeans are out for me. They're not comfortable enough for a flight. Same with an outfit that has too much going on; I'm anxious and claustrophobic on the plane as it is. Derek Blasberg, Editor-at-Large of Style.com, has written a book called Classy, which devotes a whole chapter to airport style. (I have opinions on the book as a whole which is for a post to come.) You can read what he says in the picture above. I agree with most things, but some are unrealistic. There's no way I'm wearing knee high leather boots and carrying seriously ouch-worthy bags.

For me, it mostly depends on the time of day I'm traveling. 6 am flight? Yoga pants win. Since I don't have to leave until 10 am tomorrow, I should put a little effort into it. I can't get too dressy because I finally bought a functional, not very cute, backpack. It will just be for traveling! I'm ordering a much cuter one for every day use. I feel like a big dork in it but at least I'm (mostly) neck pain free!

I'm thinking: My cotton hunter green wrap dress, black leggings, gold Toms, black boyfriend blazer, glasses (my contacts get uncomfortable from plane AC,) and I'll blow dry my hair and bangs and NOT wear a headband. Since my mom is the first person I'll see when I get off the plane, and she's uber critical of my look, (grrr) I'll probably wear my bangs to the side because she hates them forward! Thanks, Mom! OK, I'm rambling about my hair. Tell me what you wear when you fly! Do you think it's important to look classy? Or is that too old-fashioned?

Natalie Portman at LAX
She looks so comfortable!

Jessica Simpson looks really cute. It's pushing me to dress up.

No one does casual and cool like Jennifer Aniston.

Halle Berry rocking something very similar to what I'm thinking.

Camilla Belle has great personal style.

I know Ashley Olsen looks a little crazy, but I really love it. Anyone know who the pants are by?

Justjared.com has the best photos!

Mother's Day 2010

                I love buying presents and finally found something cool for my mom. 

She's hard because she's stylish but not overly trendy. She's a beauty person, so I usually buy something special and different from Sephora. I'm kind of bored with that so I found this cool Dogeared bracelet online. I LOVE the colors and it's made from recycled saris! So awesome. On top of that, it's $36! 

Do you like it? What are you getting the women in your life? 

Love this Suit

I don't like sand. Or the ocean, really. Or my hair to get frizzy and curly in humidity. OK so I'm not a HUGE fan of the beach but I do need to get away from the city this summer. My mom and aunt want to rent a place in North Carolina so I want a new bathing suit :). I'm not afraid to show some skin but a string bikini bores me to death. I love this one from DVF that I saw on Refinery29.com. Then, as long as there's AC and at least some shopping, I'm there.

Have a great weekend!

I'm off to visit family in PA. I don't celebrate anything but excited to get out of the city and see my grandmom. What are your plans for the weekend? And what are you wearing? :)