Fashion

With Arms Outstretched

So I am going to be 100% honest; my absence these past couple of weeks on SLB is not due to my usual reason for falling off the blog wagon in the past — you know, the “I’m too busy, I’ve got so much going on, blah dee blah” excuse. I have sat down to write this post probably at least seven times in the past two weeks but seem to have fallen ill with an unfamiliar case of writer’s block.

I have no one to blame but a feline companion and myself for the lack of inspiration, but let me rewind. Shortly after writing my last post, I was asked to cat sit in a town house on the Upper East Side. Up until this afternoon, I had been living in shangri-la enjoying all of the amenities (the space! the kitchen! a bathroom to call my own!) that the home and the neighborhood had to offer.

While this whole set up felt something like serious good fortune, I was subconsciously affected by my new surroundings. Although I have been consistently filling my days to the brim with adventures, I lost the ability to write about these experiences the way I wanted to. I have no explanation for this except that not being in “my element” (even if that element is a tiny apartment in Chinatown) caused me to lose the words that usually come so easily when I’m writing a post on SLB.

It actually feels like a funny joke when I think about it: of course I am more excited and inspired to be in this postage stamp apartment located in the quirkiest of neighborhoods than living the life of luxury on the UES. It’s just something about being in your place, your space, where you have finally developed a familiarity with the setting and the people around you. Losing this, even if just temporarily, can make the brain do a complete 180.

But enough of the psychobabble. As mentioned, these last few weeks have been wild and wonderful filled with trips to hip craft fairs in Brooklyn, inception brownies and some brand new jam-worthy tunes. Idea: how about I stop writing and start showing? Good? Good.

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So you guys might be wondering about the title; it comes from a song by Rilo Kiley that reminds me of summers past and makes me think towards the future. In this moment, I am working on perfecting the balancing act that is me running towards my future and staying very still as I am right here, right now. The rest is yet to be determined, but what I know for certain is this: I am thoroughly enjoying the ride.

More late night ramblings and tales to come.

Easy + Breezy

There are a lot of reasons to love summertime: shorter hemlines, fruity drinks with straws, a few more hours of sunlight everyday, and open ended weekend adventures. In years past, there was only one thing holding me back from completely falling for this season like so many of my friends: my makeup routine.

As a girl with combination, sensitive, acne-prone skin, I have struggled for years to find the perfect summer products that would give me lasting coverage without making my face look cakey, dried out or a nice Snooki shade of orange (think Cheeto). During the summer, I longed for that easy, no-fuss routine; instead, what I usually got was a mess of heavy discoloration that left me looking like an oil slick by the end of the day.

With the help of some smart shopping using consumer review sites like MakeupAlley and Amazon I was determined to find a solution to my makeup frustrations. Here are my go-to products for an everyday look that will stay put even during the hottest months of the year:

Summer Beauty Essentials

1. Mineral Wear Talc-Free Mineral Airbrushing Pressed Powder SPF 30, Physicians Formula

2. Laguna Bronzing Powder, NARS

3. Orgasm Blush, NARS

4. Healthy Skin Enhancer SPF 20, Neutrogena

5. High Definition Volume Mascara Extreme Black, NYC

6. Quince Lip Butter, Korres

My morning makeup routine is basic. After washing and moisturizing my face, I apply and blend the Healthy Skin Enhancer all over with my hands. I then use a fluffy, densely packed powder brush to apply the Mineral Wear Pressed Powder in circular motions. Using a bronzing brush, I follow up with a light dusting of my Laguna Bronzer on the “outside” edges of my face (forehead, jaw line, chin and neck) and then I use a blush brush to apply my Orgasm Blush to my cheekbones and the outside apples of my cheeks. Add a couple swipes of mascara and a little application of lip butter and voilà! I am set and ready to go for the day.

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Of course, nothing goes better with a fresh faced look than a smile and a song to match your mood. Jason Mraz’s “Living In The Moment” has been playing through my headphones on repeat for a solid week now:

What are your beauty solutions for beating the summer heat? Tweet me or write in the comments section below!

More adventures to come.

Endless

Today I went exploring with two dear DC friends of mine, Aliya and Josh. Without a plan for the day, I decided to take them to some of New York’s best; a mix of places I’ve been meaning to see (The High Line) and personal favorites I’ve been wanting to revisit (Momofuku Milk Bar from last summer’s NYC excursion). Our time was open-ended, the weather was perfect and today, New York felt endless but not overwhelming.

My favorite part about living here so far is how visually stimulating the city is. Every new neighborhood means a new chance to see something inspiring, and that inspiration comes in all shapes and forms: paintings on buildings, the installation art in shop windows, a street performer’s costume, even the way the skyline looks from different vantage points.

Photo Credit: Madeline Beard

Photo Credit: Madeline Beard

Photo Credit: Madeline Beard

Photo Credit: Madeline Beard

Photo Credit: Madeline Beard

Photo Credit: Madeline Beard

Photo Credit: Madeline Beard

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Photo Credit: Madeline Beard

Photo Credit: Madeline Beard

Photo Credit: Madeline Beard

Photo Credit: Madeline Beard

Photo Credit: Madeline Beard

Photo Credit: Madeline Beard

Photo Credit: Madeline Beard

Photo Credit: Madeline Beard

Photo Credit: Madeline Beard

Photo Credit: Madeline Beard

We finished the day off eating dim sum in Chinatown, a neighborhood that I now fondly refer to as home. While nothing of great importance happened today, I feel like our adventure will be a memory I cherish for a very long time. There’s something to be said for simply enjoying the company of good friends, with zero agenda but to make the moments you have together wonderful.

When life hands you lemonade, sometimes you’ve just gotta smile and say “thanks”.

More adventures to come.