The Scent of Departure

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When money is tight you don’t necessarily have to break the bank for an exotic vacation – check out The Scent of Departure. A line of perfume that endeavors to capture the spirit of twenty world-class cities through scent! The packaging is along for the journey, slender bottles issued with the three-letter tag that accompanies luggage on every plane trip. Now to decide which city to visit first…

 

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S.W. Basics

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S.W. Basics was founded on the idea that fewer ingredients equals gentler skincare. Makes sense to me,  how about you? Everything is made once a week in small batches using locally sustainable ingredients that are both whole and highly potent, then packaged up in glass bottles. In fact, each product has five ingredients or less. And after receiving mine I realized they’re all safe enough to eat if you wanted to go there, they truly are all-natural products. Right now next to my sink: organic lip balm, exfoliant, body scrub, and makeup remover.

 

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To Nail Art Or Not To Nail Art?

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Have you fallen for the nail art craze? I have to admit that I thought it would be long gone by now, but this trend seems to be sticking around. I’ve managed to resist thus far, but when nail art is actually art, well, I get a little weaker in my resolve. I’m digging a few of these handmade nail decals, especially the Rothko ones above.

 

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Tips&Tricks: Beauty + Fashion

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There are tips and tricks aplenty out there when it comes to appearance, they’re everywhere. Pinterest, magazines, blogs, everywhere! I’ve combed through more than my share and come out the other side with my favorites. Do you have any tried and true tips for beauty and fashion??

 

How to backcomb your hair without looking like a…

Homemade whipped coconut body oil.

All about false lashes.

Beauty secrets from backstage at New York Fashion Week.

Master the cat eye with this tutorial.

Bronzing 101.

Repair those split ends with these tips.

Big booty bouffant hair tutorial right here, ladies.

A year of sugar scrubs.

DIY surf spray for wavy locks.

Learn to blow dry your bangs perfectly.

Get your feet ready for summer.

Homemade natural bronzer recipe.

Refreshing homemade cucumber aloe mist.

Makeup tips to make you look more awake.

How to apply eyeshadow in ten easy steps.

How to easily remove glitter nail polish.

How to un-shrink clothes.

Make your own Kate Spade-inspired skirt.

How to wear a t-shirt and look stylish.

Breaking in tight shoes.

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Happy Weekend

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01/ Giant ocean waves made of wood and glass.
02/ I’m not much for the nail art craze, but love these watercolor nails.
03/ Matchstickmen – giant matchsticks with human heads.
04/ Check out Stick-lets then go build a fort!
05/ Overcast – an animated short about a guy followed around by a rain cloud.
06/ Pantone Pairings, a series of typically paired foods as Pantone swatches.
07/ Banknote portraits!
08/ This giant mirrored canopy – the Port Vieux Pavilion – is beautiful.
09/ A series of photos of a photographer’s girlfriend leading him around the world by the hand.
10/ Love these CMYK playing cards!

 

This week you might’ve missed…
We Hope You Like This Song
Win It: Artifact Uprising
Minimal Acrylic Jewelry
Home State Address Stamps
Animals Loose in NYC
West African Peanut Soup
The Daily Dish
Old English Company

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Winter Maintenance

Lots of things need special care come the colder months – your car, your home, and definitely you. I’m sort of ashamed to admit to it, but this is the first time in my life I’ve ever made changes to my everyday routine to account for winter. (Just another thing that happens once you hit your 30s I suppose!) The biggest deviation for me has been adding crazy amounts of moisture to my skin and drinking so much water. I’m crazy dry this year and I’m doing all I can to stay hydrated inside and out. Here’s my Winter Maintenance Package, have anything special in your arsenal that I should add to mine? Please share!

 

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Pureology Hydrate Shampoo + Conditioner. My hair is probably the one thing that isn’t dry, but I’m addicted to the minty smell and tingly scalp sensation these leave behind.

Bliss Soapy Suds Body Wash + Bubble Bath. In the Blood Orange + White Pepper, please. This isn’t specifically to add moisture, but I can’t get enough of the light scent and gads of bubbles. One of the few products I use year-round.

EOS Shave Cream. A few years ago my skin started freaking out after I shaved, it was super sensitive all of a sudden. After trying a slew of products this is the one that was most calming, it’s also very moisture rich.

Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser. I was lucky enough not to have teenage acne, but it bit me in the ass in the form of cystic adult acne once I hit 30. My dermatologist recommended this above all others and I love how smooth and soft it makes my face feel. Also, fewer breakouts and no tightness post-wash.

 

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Bliss Maximum Moisture Cream Body Butter.  Let’s talk body butter, because I know what you’re thinking. Thick. Greasy. No thanks. This product is the exact opposite of that despite the name. It’s light and absorbs into your skin immediately. I have never found a lotion I love more. Oh, and it smells lovely too. I use this before bed most nights.

Cetaphil Daily Facial Moisturizer. I didn’t know this moisturizer existed until a few months ago. My skin is combination and it’s always been impossible to use the same facial lotion all over. Until this. It’s light, sinks in, doesn’t make me shiny, and has an SPF of 50+.

Gold Bond Ultimate Healing Lotion. It should come as no surprise that I first encountered this lotion at my Grandma’s over the holidays. I was desperate for something to stop the itching and flaking so I tried it. And it worked. So good that I bought some as soon as I got home and use it every day.

C.O. Bigelow Chapped Hands Remedy. I’ve had this for years, which shows how little you need to use. My hands aren’t chapped, but I hate wearing gloves so the backs get dry. Before bed I use some of this peppermint miracle and things stay soft as can be.

Honest Organic Lip Balm. I’m a lip balm junky/whore/addict and this is my latest obsession. Right now I’m using the Lavender Mint and it’s the best smelling, smoothest stuff. I can’t get enough of it.

Bliss High Intensity 24 Heaven. This is basically the older, wiser sister of Bliss’s Body Butter. I put it on my feet a few times a week before putting my socks on and it works miracles.

 

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MAC Pro Longwear Eye Liner. In black. Always black. This is one of the only eye liners I’ve found that actually stands the test of a day. It’s also a softer pencil, which means you don’t end up stabbing yourself in the eyelid as much which is always welcome.

Maybelline The Falsies Mascara. My favorite mascara is this one, it adds length and volume to my lashes which is a necessity when going for a semi-natural look.

Laura Geller Balance n Brighten SPF 15 Color Correcting Foundation. Whew, that’s a mouthful. I found this a random way as well, by my mom ordering it on QVC. Yup, for real. I like to use a light layer over my foundation in place of powder for some extra coverage.

Stila Convertible Color. If I had to swear allegiance to one thing in my makeup bag it would be this one. It gives a great pop of color to my fair complexion, and being a cream adds moisture instead of wicking it away like a powder blush.

MAC Studio Fix Fluid SPF 15. This foundation gives great coverage. I use a light layer under my powder foundation and it’s like magic for dark spots.

Rimmell Fix & Perfect Foundation Primer. I don’t use this primer every day, only when I know it’s going to be a long day of makeup wear and I need some help keeping it on. It helps me face look a little dewy and hangs on to my foundation for dear life.

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Top 40 Posts Of 2012

A few weeks ago I was taking a look through the past year in posts and decided to put together a Top 40 collection for 2012. I had hoped to spread it out over a few days and organize everything a bit, but a family death and extended stay in Pennsylvania over the holidays set me back and I had to lump it all together. Thank you so much for continuing to help make this site such an amazing part of my daily life – here’s to 2013!

 

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15 Chances to Find Your Ultimate Mac + Cheese // Day to Dinner to Party // New Addition //
Berry Lemonade Vodka + Homemade Blackberry Vodka

 

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B-B-B-Buffalo // Best Word Ever // Campfire Cologne // Celebrated

 

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Coriumi // Popsicles + Poptails – Take 2 // Little Corners // Courtney Martin

 

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Electrolux Design Lab // Mojito Madness // Top Knot // Fluffy Raspberry Mousse

 

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You Can Do It: Create a Gallery Wall // What I Learned: Alt 2012 // HP Designer Matchup //
Luxe Liquors

 

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You Can Do It: Golden Glass Bottles // I Like Notebooks And I Cannot Lie //
Mixtape 17: Where All Your Girls Are Pretty // Mobile Foodie Survival Kit

 

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Mosantimetre Turkish Coffee Pots // Peanut Butter Pumpkin Dog Treats // Pete //
Paper Sculptures

 

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Pumpkin Marshmallow Pie // Magnetic Wallpaper // Sigils of the Houses of Westeros //
Wall Tape

 

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Song Map // Dream Thanksgiving // Paper Flowers // Tiffin Lunch Kit

 

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Tobias Tovera // Urban Geodes // Mighty Summit 2012 // Camp Brand

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Happy Weekend

01/ Loving these driftwood horse sculptures.
02/ How to stock the perfect winter pantry.
03/ I never finish a bottle of nail polish, DOSE minis are perfect.
04/ I wish I had a big mug of this lavender hot chocolate in front of my right now.
05/ Lollipops in grownup flavors.
06/ It’s a little late, but you can still make a DIY Beer Advent Calendar.
07/ Oh my gosh, I want to hide a gift in this confetti surprise jar so bad!
08/ This Is a Memory, audio recordings of strangers’ memories.
09/ I’ll be eating more of these now that I know how to easily seed a pomegranate!
10/ Beautiful macro photos of snowflakes and ice structures.

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Happy Weekend

01/ A Banoffee Pie Milkshake – YUM.
02/ Baby Vincent’s Daydreams, illustrated!
03/ My favorite free printable 2013 calendar.
04/ Pretty handmade floral wallpaper.
05/ Adorable wooden breadboard cat.
06/ The Infinite Jukebox, turn any song into an infinite remix.
07/ This poster is such a great Christmas tree alternative.
08/ These panoramas of New York churches are stunners.
09/ These soap stones would make great stocking stuffers, right?
10/ Love this gold cat ears ring!

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