B-on-B

so this weekend we have been dog sitting for some friends. this is how it goes:

 

-oh, coco, i love you. everytime you're at my house it makes me want a dog.

-OMG!! you pooped on the floor????????????? you are never getting my love ever again.

-wanna go on a walk, coco? yay, it's gonna be so much fun.

-wanna come on the bed, coco?? awwww.. you're so cute. i love you so much, coco.

-COCO! you pooped on the floor AGAIN???? we were JUST outside! you wait until your mom hears about this...

-(as her owners come to get her) bye, coco!...... see you never.

 

 

 

anyway. that's how the weekend went. i did take coco on a walk today and i looked to my left and saw this random horseshoe which was like so cool. idk don't ask why i get such a kick out of spotting random things, but of course i'm walking, see this and yell "oh, wow! look, coco, a horseshoe! (coco totally indifferent) i HAVE to get a picture!" and there you go. you're welcome world;)

BUT what i really wanted to talk about today was.... [the "magnificent seven" items every girl NEEDS in her closet]. this comes from the book i mentioned in last weeks post- parisian chic, by ignes de la fressange. well i'm going to add an 8th, because i feel like this is totally necessary for every girl!

continuing on with The Simplification of My Life, by amanda secrist, this outfit has completely simplified my life. everytime i'm scrambling for an outfit, i just throw together some black-on-black and i'm set. having this to fall back on has completely changed my life. i'm not exaggerating.

the one i want to start with is the perfect all black outfit. when i was a teenager i wanted to work at victorias secret, just so i could wear black all the time. i LOVE black. i think ANYone could pull it off. this is my GO-TO black outfit that i wear variations of, at least twice a week.

(secret took this picture for me when i was in the "wanna go on a walk, coco? it's gonna be so much fun..." phase.)

<<<black vest- old navy. super light, black long sleeve- bp nordstroms. leggings- old navy. shoes- converse. dog- coco. >>>

 

it's not too serious, but it's not too slouchy. because we hate slouchy. slouchers never get dates.

 

here are a few things to remember when it comes to leggings:

1- if you're going to wear leggings, make sure your top covers your bottom. (we know your bottom is really cute, but we don't want to see it.) not covering your bottom just makes the outfit look cheap and unfinished.

2- black or grey. tan---no. sparkles--- no. tie-dye---no. any other type of leggings {no matter what size you are} tend not to flatter anyone. even if the trend for spring is all about floral leggings, get real. are you going to wear those in the fall? how about winter?? how about next year?? (don't even think about it! YOU'RE NOT!)

3- no see through leggings. i cannot tell you how many times i've seen girls bend over, only to see everything i DON'T want to see. make sure they are good quality fabric that will last and keep you together.

 

 

i would say that you can never go wrong investing in a good solid loose fitting AND fitting black long-sleeve shirt, a solid pair of black leggings and black jeans. you can do SO much with those 3 items. add leopard shoes. add a gold watch. red lips. the credit card max is your limit!! (que the song: girls just wanna have fu-un!)

 

so next time you're laying on the floor of your room, ten minutes before your date gets there, saying "ooooooooohhhhhhhhhhh mmmmmmmmmyyyyyyyyyy. why do i have nothing to weeeeaaaarrrrr???? my closet hates me. i CANNOT go on my date looking like a doofus." and you're heart is starting to beat faster and the tears warm your eyeballs and you see that you've now ruined your perfect make-up and you look at the clock only to realize that you've been on the floor for 45 min.... (can you tell i've been there 1 too many times??) GET OUT THE BLACK! B-on-B! BLACK on BLACK.

 

and when your date gets there he'll be all "you look so beautiful!" and you'll be all "i know."

 

other 7 things coming this week:)

 

 



my talents.

i don't want to toot my own horn, or be prideful... BUT, i have this amazing talent. i started to notice this talent back in high school and it has stuck with me until this year. so pretty much, i stress myself out to the max over the smallest of things. oh, you're right, it's not a talent! it's a disease!!! i HATE that i do this! i can work myself up over the dumbest things! i'll invite someone over for dinner and right before they get here, i'll be all...

yeah, figure that one out.

if you can't, ask secret to explain it to you. when he reads this, he'll nod his head and understand exactly!

 

 

another talent i have, though, is i'm quite thoughtful. i think that's why i never learned anything in school... i was always thinking about something way more profound;) at the beginning of the year, i decided i really needed to simplify my life. because if i did that, then i wouldn't have an excuse to stress myself out. that was one of the reasons i started this blog. i feel like it helps me simplify and organize my life (and it gives me something to look forward to).

 

also around the same time, i started reading the book... 

naturally.

 

i read it expecting to have a deeper insight into the world of french fashion (are you starting to see what a french freak i am???), and i did indeed get that! but at the same time, it talks about why french women throw dinner parties with no problem (everytime i throw a dinner party, it's an all day event and i find a zit or two moments before everyone comes... side effects of my disease...). it talks about how they gather all the stuff for their meal just {TWO} hours before everyone comes and then take a relaxing bubble bath {AN HOUR} before everyone comes. oh yeah, i remember the last time i did that... said no one ever!

 

i was just so impressed by the simplicity of everything in this book that it inspired me to do something about my own life.

 

as i mentioned earlier, i am a very thoughtful  person. this weekend secret and i had the wonderful opportunity to go to mexico with some friends. it was there that i had a whole weekend to laugh and just simply look out at the turquoise ocean and t-h-i-n-k and really sort it out in my head.

 

 

 

i decided that for the next few weeks, i'll post about the ways i'm simplifying my life. first, i'll start with fashion, because you know, i just can't resist. then i'll tackle <dinner parties>. and lastly we can talk about just the daily grind. yeah... i even stress out over the idea of going to target, grocery shopping, and the gym (for some reason, i always think it's going to take me like 72 hours and i rush like it's the end of the world... it's so weird).

 

i've been living a "so far so good, simplified" life for a couple weeks now and i hope i can make it last!

 

 and if you wanna see what a simplified life looks like >>>>> take a gander>>>>

 

this folks, will be me in a few short weeks.

like a baby in a blanket.

 

collage pictures courtesy of: blogsibudakabshar.blogspot.com, corbisimages.com and corbisimages.com. 

 



 





stick it to ya.

well i did survive. i'm not a mentally lame piece of cheese!!! HORRAY! honestly, i don't know why i was so worried! i knew i'd be okay. and guess what else?? i actually really enjoyed it! being back in school as an adult is so much more fun! i am actually interested in what i'm learning and am paying attention! it's amazing! (except my philosophy class is terrible. can you believe people spend their entire lives trying to decide whether or not the chair their sitting on IS really REAL?? of course it's REAL you crazy!!)

i took my first french class last night... oh, la, la, i know! it'll be good! i accidentally signed up for the beginners 'intermediate' class, which means everyone else in the class already has a little foundation of french, whereas i... "bonjour?!" but it'll be great! i hope by the end of 10 weeks you'll be like "hey, amanda, shut up! you're speaking too much french!" haha

so fridays i don't have school and before i start cleaning the house (i just said that to make me look productive, i'm really just going to watch new girl) i just wanted to post a little something. last year my new years resolution was to go out of my comfort zone and try new things. one of those things was to try lipstick. i had always seen women wearing lipstick and was so envious! so i gave it a shot, and to my surprise, it actually went pretty well! i have to admit that i now have a very small collection of lipstick that i wear on a weekly basis:) 

the reason it's so small though, is because i don't follow the trends when it comes to the color stick. if i followed the trends, i would have been wearing gothic colored lipstick this winter and i would have no friends... :/) and then i wouldn't have been able to wear it any other time (it's not exactly a spring/summer color)! so i've vowed only to [invest] in colors that are NOT seasonal.

 

so here is my small collection (minus 4). these are all colors i wear {all the time} and always have in my purse! the are (from left to right):

 

MAC patisserie > MAC creme d'nude > MakeUpForever artist intense 39 > NARS niagara >

Sephora 1st night > MAC mac red > NARS trans-siberian

 

after trial and error, i found the best way to keep my lipstick looking good althroughout the day! i line concealer around my lips, for 2 reasons:

1- create a even complexion around the lips. i have some acne scars that i don't want distracting from the color & it also prevents any "bleeding" of the color. (no body wants to see smudged color around your lips!)

2- it highlights the top of my lip which I THINK, makes it looker fuller.

 

i love patisserie because it's the PERFECT natural pink. it's not nude by any means and it's not baby pink. it's got a slight brown undertone, which makes it a little more mature, but it really compliments ANY skin tone!

 

i'm always hearing girls ask for the perfect "nude" color and i think i've found it! creme d'nude. when i use it, i don't go for the "oh, i have no lips" look... haha... but more for the "i'm trying to look natural without any lipstick on, am i fooling you??..." look. when i use this one, i literally DAB it onto my lips.

 i got artist intense 39 after seeing it on a super tan model on pinterest! i got it in the summer when i was tan and it did look amazing! even when i'm pasty white (like i am now), i think it still works fine! but i keep it on reserve, mostly for the summer months on the beach. it looks so good with nothing but dewy skin and a little mascara!!

 

niagara actually came from my brother-in-law! he gave it to me for christmas and i love just the natural pink/coral color! it makes me look warmer and it goes with e.v.e.r.y.t.h.i.n.g.

 

if MAC red is the perfect classic red.... 1st night is the perfect classic pink. it's my go-to bright pink! my only beef.. i'm constantly checking my teeth:( {{oh my.. just noticed that was a rhyme. high five!}}

 

 

 FAVORITE alert!!! MAC red is my favorite HANDS DOWN! it gets the job done. haha. i got it a couple months ago after pining (learned that new word a couple weeks ago, i feel so sophisticated) for the classic red for a long time. it just classes up any outfit and really matches everything. sometimes i'll just wear it with a casual outfit and my converse and "viola!"

 my number 2 favorite for winter is trans-siberian. it's darker than the classic red, but is SUPER flattering. i might even use the word... sexy??? AH! forgive me for using that word on a g-rated blog. i love that it's dark, but not tooo dark!

 

 

SO there you go! secret HATES when i wear lipstick, but sometimes it's so fun and i just can't resist. i do understand how it makes a woman... "unkissable" (i don't like getting lipstick on secret and NO date wants red/pink all over their face [assuming it gets all crazy like that;)] ), so i guess only wear it when you're far away from any kissable man.

 

but i'm always on the lookout for new lipsticks! does anyone out there have a favorite?? i wanna hear about it!

 

au revior!!

 

 

in denial.

denial (n): a) the act of refusing to comply, b) the act of asserting that something alleged is not true, c) a defense mechanism that denies painful thoughts... BINGO!!

i'm there. i'm displaying a defense mechanism that is DENYING the PAINFUL thoughts of what is going to happen tomorrow. after marrying the love of my life (harps playing in the background), i took a break from school. then i got mentally bored and decided to go part-time while working... part-time. then i got mentally exhausted and decided to take another break from school. and after quitting my job last month (to enjoy the last 6 months of business school with my husband {cue carnival music, please... and don't forget the laughter in the background}), i decided it was not okay to continue living my life like a mentally lame piece of cheese.

soooo tomorrow i start school again (lighting strike).

i'm not nervous, but i'm just anxious. i'm pretty much starting over as a freshman (booooo), because in the process of moving schools very few of my credits have transferred. so tomorrow i shall embark on a plethora of gen eds and LOVE every minute of it.

BUT naturally, i've been thinking all day about what to wear tomorrow.

last week, my sister and i put together some great outfits from her closet. over the years my sister has developed into a really fashionable person that has great taste. and i thought it would be fun to spotlight someone else's style!

what i love - the jacket. it's made out of simple cotton, so it's super light weight! making it perfect for all 4 seasons and super easy to layer.

 

sporting my glasses! i feel like any outfit can quickly grab a sophisticated glance by just adding a pair of chic glasses. although my glasses are prescription (just from costco {woot, woot}), you can find pairs of chic/urban glasses just about anywhere!

 

love: the keds, the backpack & the popped collar. some people think popped collars are... oh, how do you say it... "so 5 minutes ago" (valley girl accent). in which case i guess i'm "so 5 minutes ago", because i pop my collar probably once a week.

 

 

 

isn't she just beautiful!? this is by far, my favorite outfit we put together!!! for many reasons. let me name:

 

1- you could see any french woman wearing this any ole day in paris.

2- leopard print shoes (she is on her 2nd pair, as am i) go with EVERYTHING.

3- that trench. OH... la, la!

4- the striped shirt. "like, so right now..." (valley girl again!)

5- popped collar:)

 

i like this picture because it shows the lipstick we picked out. as mentioned in my bio, i'm a lover of "the stick". i'm constantly on the look out for new colors and i fall prey to too many. (secret HATES that i wear lipstick, it's a daily battle, but one well worth it;)

 

i wanted to spotlight this because later in the month i'm going to share my favorite colors (this being one of them)!

 

anyway! hope these outfits inspired you like they did me! as i embark on the school tomorrow, i hope to dress like i'm NOT in denial. i guess time will only tell....

 

 

 

2012.. we're sad to see you go..

i honestly think 2012 may have been one of the best years EVER! i don't know why it was so much fun, but it just was! secret and i had many opportunities to adventure and enjoy time together and it was such a blessing! being in business school has proved to be just such a delight!

as secret and i talked about this year and some of our highs and lows, we thought it would be good to write them down and share them with our friends and family! we are grateful to have the opportunity to reflect on all the blessings of 2012.


secret kicked off 2012 with a school trip to saudi arabia! boy did it start off with a bang (i think subconsciously the bar was set high on this trip, because the rest of the year only got better...:)! he spent days going to meetings and riding camels in his super cool thobe (yes, a thobe)! i'm glad he had such a unique opportunity, but i was happy to have him home after 10 days!

 

 

secret sure does know how to make a birthday the best! in april, he surprised me with a trip to paris and the loire valley! when i found out i started crying, that's how much i love france. haha we spent our days driving from chateau to chateau, eating baguettes and watching the beautiful fields of flowers outside our windows. i couldn't get enough!! EVERDAY i wish i was there!

 

later that spring, we had a little miracle come to us! while driving home from school one day, we spotted a cat chasing a baby bunny across the road! (naturally) we stopped the car and ran to save the little guy! after crawling under a car and shooing the cat, we brought our little bunny home and called him "bolt" (because he was super fast getting away from that evil cat)!!

 

 

though, after much research about how to care for bunnies, we found out that he would probably die if we kept him (they need to be in their natural habitat, and since he was still so young, he needed his mom's milk...). so i drove him to the wild animal shelter (i was bawling my eyes out) and they took care of him! we still talk about bolt and miss him lots!

 

we spent our summer days in the big apple! i spent my weeks in montauk working and secret spent his days in the city also working! we survived by adventuring together on the weekends! it was a good "tester" summer in ny, as we might be there for the next couple of years!



the end of summer brought warm weekends of football games! there is nothing quite like being swarmed in a sea of football fans all screaming for the same cause! we will miss those weekends!!

 

we try to have little "fieldtrips" as often as we can! one of our fall fieldtrips was to muir woods, just north of san francisco, and it was so fun! the beautiful redwood trees are just epic! they are enormous and fragrant and just something that the bay area does -so well-. it was a great place to visit and we would recommend it to anyone!

 

november brought lots of interesting policital conversations to our dinner table! we loved being involved in the election and playing our part by voting! we were constantly listening to the news and reading new polls, almost to the point where it became a joke. it was a fun season, but we were happy to return to normal radio stations!

 

 

we spent our thanksgiving truly being thankful for the things we have! we spent 9 days in peru and every day brought a new humbling experience. there was not a day where i didn't go to bed totally surprised by what we experienced that day! i mastered the spanish phrase "hola nino, un dulce para ti" (hi little one, a sweet for you), after saying it 200 times, each time accompanied with a sucker for a little child.

 

we spent 3 days in the city of cusco, surprised by the homes made of mud and sheet metal. then 4 days in the amazon... spiders the size of your head and birds from dr. seuss. and ended the trip with a tour of machu picchu! the entire trip was just such an experience and we were so grateful to have been a part of it!

 

 

we ended our year in utah with my family. we have spent our time playing board games (we are addicted to board games), skiing and laughing our heads off. what a great way to end the year!

 

happy 2013 to everyone! we can't wait to see what the next year brings and what adventures will come our way! we KNOW 2013 will be completely crazy with all the things expected and unexpected coming our way. we can't wait to see where it will take us!!