Almost 50's

Sweater via Anthro, shoes are ages old, cateye sunnies, and the skirt I picked up at Flounce vintage in LA last summer.

Inspiration Desert Bloom, starring Annabeth Gish. I had a hard time finding photos for this little film, from 1986. It's a "coming of age story" set in the Nevada Desert during the 50's Atomic bomb testing. It's an interesting story, though at times it's not easy to watch. It's good movie to put on though when you're spending a rainy day on the couch wrapped in blankets and sipping tea.

Because it's been a long time...

I haven't posted many outfits here lately. As most of these days - I've been quite pressed for time - and on top of that we've been having less than stellar weather here since about December. I can't stand gloomy, grey, and windy. And, I figured my standard trousers/jeans & cardigan outfits weren't much to share. But, since I'm going out today I decided to wear a skirt, of course it started to rain about 5 minutes after taking this photo. Grr. I'm such a grump, but it's nothing that dinner at one of my favorite Thai places and a funny movie (Bridesmaids) can't fix.

Here is what I was wearing before changing into leggings and boots.



This scarf is an ages old purchase from UO, the skirt is years old from Anthropologie, the blouse is also from Anthro. The jacket is my old standby Levi's, and the boots are Rachel Comey from a consignment shop!

I'm really loving this simple pyrite necklace, by Garnett Jewelery. I'm considering buying a back up just in case something happens to this one.



I also though I'd share these little guys below...



Ceramic animal rings! So cute. They were featured on Notcot. I'd like to get one but, as they are made and sold in Indonesia, it's bit of a task- apparently I'd have to send money via Western Union? I'm not so sure about that. Maybe in the future they'll have an Etsy shop.

Hope that you are all having a great weekend so far, and that you get sunny skies for your bbq's and outings.

Desert Architecture

On our recent trip to Palm Springs we spent a day cycling around on vintage cruisers. It was a perfect way to enjoy the weather and view some of the fun architecture.









Mario and I decided - if ever we were to live in Palm Springs we'd like to live in the home pictured above. I would really enjoy year round blue skies, warm winds, and of course spending time poolside.

Spring Things

Since I've decided to only add pieces of clothing that I REALLY love to my wardrobe (no more fast fashion, no more careless thrifting) - I've taken a huge interest in jewelery, as accessories are a great a way to change up my usual outfits. I love jewelery that is bit off, earthy/natural - and not delicate (what's the point of that?) Here are some pieces I would love to have added to my accessories drawer.











Pieces are from: Lady Grey Jewelery, Stone & Honey, Vanessa Mooney, Kathryn Bentley, Nga Waiata and Lizzie Fortunato.

Tata's Steps

I've never really had problem skin, and I'm not meaning to brag, I've never been troubled by acne, or dry skin, or oily skin. I never really had a skin care routine. I washed with whatever face wash or soap I happened to buy at Target, and I used sunscreen going out in the sun, but I never established a routine - and I rarely, if ever moisturized - and my skin looked good. But recently, as in the past year or so, as I transitioned from mid to late twenties - my skin changed. I looked tired. My skin looked dull, and well - plain old icky. (Larger pores, I had puffiness around the eyes, and my skin looked ashen and lacked -life) In short , my skin did not look healthy. But, I had no idea what to do to change that. I already eat a healthy diet. I do try to get as much sleep as I can (even if my work at times doesn't allow for it) and I try to drink a lot of water. I started to see an aesthetician and my skin improved, but I found that the improvements did not last for long in-between visits. I did use some Aveda products, but found that the moisturizers and oils were too heavy for my skin. I shopped for products at Sephora, but found that the choices were so overwhelming that I didn't know what products to try and to trust.

I kept hearing about Tata Harper's line of skin care, it's all organic and natural. I read some reviews about the line, and then read a bit about Tata herself. I liked that many of the ingredients for the products are grown on her farm in Vermont. I have to admit that got to me - as I remember spending summers as a kid at a family friend's farm in Vermont, picking wild berries and eating home grown veggies. I guess that call back to my youth, along with Tata's skin care philosophy, helped sell me on the product.

So, I purchased a starter kit via a Refinery 29 deal - and within a few days I noticed a big difference in my skin. Again, like with my eyelashes, the hubby noticed enough to comment on it.

I was a bit put off by all the steps involved with using the product. I'm a wash and go kinda gal, and this involved using a cleanser - applying a serum - then a moisturizer - an eye cream - and oil to the skin. Twice a day. But, it really only takes a few minutes and the results are worth it!

Honestly- my pores are smaller, my skin "glowing" (this is what the hubby told me yesterday), my under eye bags and circles are diminished, and my skin looks and feels soft and healthy.



The downside is that the products are pricey, but I've spent a lot on products that don't work - so I don't mind spending on one that has really made a difference. And, I like supporting women owned, eco-conscious businesses.

I'm sharing this because, if you are looking for eco-friendly - natural skin care products to use - this is a great option. I did not receive products or payment - for writing this. I've seriously been blown away by how much my skin has improved.

I'm curious to know, if you've made the the switch to natural beauty products - and what you use as part of your skin care routine.

The End of an Era, or No More Mascara

I am not, by any means, a make-up fanatic. I spent most of my 20's bare-faced, au-natural, going Chapstick minimal - if you will. I didn't do make-up except for Mascara. It sort of became my signature. At 15 I wore Natural Instincts clear Mascara, later - when my dad became more accustomed to the idea of his daughters wearing any sort of make-up I really started piling in on, curing my lashes and adding layers of black to top and bottom lashes. Did I need to do this at 16, 17? No. My lashes were fine enough - but I kept on doing it anyway. A few years ago, I noticed my lashes really weren't growing as long and that they were not as thick. My solution? Buy more mascara. Mascaras that promised thick lovely lashes. Did they work? Not really. Yes they did make my lashes darker and therefore more noticeable, but no, they were not the miracle lash extenders that they advertised to be.

I contemplated trying something drastic like lash extensions, but I heard it was painful - not to mention that it's expensive and can actually cause lashes to fall-out. I thought about Latisse, but seeing as it can cause eye-color to change, I didn't think it was a totally safe option. I figured I was doomed to keep hoping for some miracle mascara.

Then I got sick - for three weeks. ( I know, I know it's a long time to be ill.) During that time I did not wear Mascara, I did not curl my lashes - and something happened...

My lashes grew. I mean they REALLY GREW. Longer, thicker, even my bottom lashes grew out. I noticed this, but what truly tipped me off that the growth was significant was that the hubby noticed it - and really he doesn't even notice big changes like when I dye my hair. Then Friends, and co-workers have noticed.

How could this be? Why was this happening? It couldn't be a coincidence that my lashes grew when I stopped using Mascara. So I did some research...and while not conclusive (and since I don't have a lab, nor willing subjects to really test my theory out)...here are some things I found that support my theory that my overuse of Mascara and eyelash curlers is what damaged my lashes and that having stopped using Mascara and my curler - allowed my lashes to grow.

* Overuse of mascara can cause eyelash dryness which in turn can lead to the possibility of lashes falling out.

* Some mascara formulations have ingredients that may cause allergic reactions, or clog the hair follicles, stopping growth.

* Removing mascara can damage the delicate skin under the eye because the process often requires rubbing or swiping to remove the product completely.

* If mascara is not completely and thoroughly removed along the lash line the remaining remnants can clog the hair follicles and prevent future lash growth.

* The use of mechanical eyelash curlers can damage the lashes, potentially leaving them broken or distorted.

* Repeated breakage caused by the use of mechanical curlers can actually permanently stunt the growth of lashes.

Kind of scary stuff here. I think that with the dramatic change I've seen in my lashes I may never wear Mascara or curl my lashes again. In fact, my lashes are long enough now that I do not need to. I realize that really we do not need to have long lashes, and that it is a societal beauty standard, but it is a look that I like - and somehow I've been able to attain it with out all of the products that are being sold to us to attain such a look - and that in fact I did so in spite of them. I wonder how many other innocent seeming 'beauty' products and practices out there are more damaging than helpful.