Maggie

Tuesday, June 27, 2017


Illustration by Anna Birkedal

In summer 2012, Maggie, a seven year old, black chihuahua and dachshund mix, literally fell into our laps. We weren't looking to adopt a dog, but Maggie quickly won us all over with her soulful, sweet brown eyes and quiet but infectious personality. Slowly, as she got to know us, Maggie's personality blossomed, and instead of quietly following us around, she would demand to be the center of attention, bark when she wanted to go on a walk, and we absolutely loved her for it. Maggie exemplified every positive trait of dogs - she was fearless, loyal, always excited, always happy to see us. She genuinely helped me and my family through the most difficult years of our lives.

On May 5th, my sweet Maggie passed away from cancer at age 11. And though it's now been a month and a half, it still hurts so much. Thus why I have avoided writing this post - I still don't want to believe it. I miss her so much, and I keep thinking of all the moments I wasn't able to catch of her on video or in photos (I have a bunch on my phone, but very few on my DSLRs since she never stood still) - I'm so afraid of forgetting. Like how she would click her water dish when she needed water, or how her ears would perk just so when she heard a noise below her...

Knowing we got her for only four of her eleven years has been incredibly hard. I am so heartbroken I wasn't able to spend 11 amazing years with her, but even though this has been so painful I am so glad I was able to know this truly, strong, feisty little dog. I miss you Maggie...

Illustration by Anna Birkedal was a sweet surprise that left me in tears! Thank you so much Anna - I'll never forget your kindness in such a sad time.

Land Locked Mermaid by Karen Sofia Colon

Wednesday, June 21, 2017

Last January, I had the pleasure of spending the day with Karen Sofia Colon (and our mutual friend Bao Ngo!) talking, eating ice cream, and collaborating on photos! It was an absolute joy to not only get to pose for this incredibly talented individual - but get to talk to her as well. Karen is remarkably warm, infectious - and has the type of personality that immediately puts you on ease... I hope to be reunited with her soon!

For our shoot together, Karen envisioned me as a mermaid - it was absolutely freezing (it being January when these were taken heh...) and sitting in a metal barrel (... thing?! I'm not sure what this was!) was pretty uncomfortable, but the end result is amazing!




An extra photo we took earlier in the day in the forest.

I have a few projects I'm working on and hope to be updating more frequently soon - I'm looking forward to sharing ♡!

Everyday Makeup

Monday, June 5, 2017

I shared my everyday makeup routine (on video!) last year, and thought it was high time I did an updated routine! Here are the makeup products I currently can't get enough of - and how cute is my makeup bag?

- Glossier Priming Moisturizer *
A lightweight moisturizer that makes helps my foundation go on beautifully and lasts longer.

- Maybelline Cushion Foundation *
I've discussed how much I love this foundation in the past - I've been wearing it nonstop since I got it and can't get enough of the buildable coverage and dewy finish.

- Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Concealer *

- Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder
This is my holy grail translucent powder! For the longest time, I thought all powders gave you a somewhat cakey appearance - until this one from Laura Mercier! It practically melts into ones skin and works wonders for baking under the eyes (which helps disguise my under eye bags)!

- Glossier Boy Brow *
Another product I've been using since I first got it, this amazing brow pomade is fool proof and fills in the brows without leaving them feeling crispy.

- Wet n Wild Color Icon Ombré Blush in The Princess Daiquiris
I really cannot get enough of this $5 blush - it leaves a hazy, delicate peachy cast on the skin. J'Adore!

- CoverFx Custom Enhancer Drops in Celestial *
The absolute best liquid highlighter I have come across - I take this with me everywhere, just look at how beat up mine is in the photo! Highlighter is my favorite makeup product right now - and this gives the most intense, almost metallic beam. I apply it above the cheekbone and on the tip of the nose undiluted, but you can even mix it with your moisturizers, foundations, and more to add a drop of radiance.

- Maybelline Color Sensational Insta-Matte Nudes in Honey Pink *
Another product I've mention in the past - but this truly "honey pink" hue is ticking all the boxes for me this Spring/Summer season! I even got one for my Grammy, who is equally as smitten with it...

- Pixi Makeup Fixing Mist *
I am absolutely in love with Pixi's products and have been for around 6 years now. One of my first eyeshadow palettes ever was from Pixi, and slowly I've been growing my skincare collection with their products! This mist is lovely.

You might recognize a few products here from mentioning them before in prior posts - but when I find something that works, I stick to it! What makeup products have you been loving lately? I always love hearing your recommendations!

Caramel by Bao Ngo

Friday, June 2, 2017

Happy Friday! I wanted to share this photoshoot I did with the amazing Bao Ngo last January! After spending the day shooting outside in the cold with Karen Sofia Colon and visiting a nearby bakery, we headed to an Airbnb we rented. We cranked up the heater and chatted until Karen fell asleep - while whispering we decided to do another shoot in the cosy, warm Airbnb and it was so nice and relaxing! Here's hoping the stars align and I get to see Bao again soon - truly one of the sweetest, most talented and hilarious people I've had the pleasure of working with! You can see the first shoot we did together here.

Here's to the weekend!






Four Looks with Lancôme L'Absolu Rouge Lipsticks

Sunday, May 28, 2017

Recently, Lancôme sent me their range of L’Absolu Rouge lipsticks to try and I was absolutely gobsmacked! Revamped by their global makeup creative director, the incomparable and extremely talented Lisa Eldridge, these lipsticks come in a wide variety of stunning hues and in three different finishes - cream, matte, and sheer. There is truly a shade for every occasion in the line of 44 lipsticks! I'm also incredibly smitten with their new, sleek case with the "signature Lancôme rose as a gold domed seal on the cap - with just one simple push of the rose, the lipstick is revealed". Sublime!

I asked my readers on Twitter what shades I should spotlight in this post, and had such a fun time creating looks centered around the lip colors you helped chose!

The Isabella
A classic, timeless look: the matte red lip, perfected skin, and winged liner. Exemplified by Isabella Rossellini, Lancôme's muse for over a decade.

One of my favorite actresses and models is Isabella Rossellini - the always poised, stunning inside-and-out, daughter of Ingrid Bergman and Roberto Rossellini. Growing up, I would pour over books and websites, admiring her campaigns for Lancôme in the 80s and 90s. I was extremely excited to hear she was recently invited back as one of Lancôme's ambassadresses at age 64! When I saw this shade was called Isabella, I had a hunch it was named after her - and Lisa Eldridge herself confirmed she named the shade after her in this lovely post! The lipstick, a matte, cherry red is a truly classic shade.

I'm wearing:

  • L'Absolu Rouge 189 Isabella Lipstick *
  • Lancome Teint Idole Ultra Cushion Foundation *
  • Mattifying Translucent Powder

    The Deneuve
    A light lip and heavy liner - the trademark look for any bombshell.

    One of my favorite beauty looks is the iconic bombshell - the heavily lined eyes, light lip, and voluminous, tumbling locks combination was popularized in the late 50s/early 60s by Catherine Deneuve and Brigitte Bardot! The L'Absolu Rouge shade 202 Nuit et Jour is a gorgeous, sheer pink that is perfect for this look.

    I'm wearing:

  • L'Absolu Rouge 202 Nuit et Jour Lipstick *
  • Black Eyeliner
  • Muted Rose Blush
  • False Lashes

    The Clara
    The roaring 20s are back! Silent film actresses Clara Bow and Louise Brooks inspired a legion with their expressive faces and dark, vampy lipstick drawn in the style they popularized, the "beestung" lip.

    The 20s were the beginning of when it was socially acceptable to wear makeup again after the Victorian era completely looked down on it. The first wave of film stars inspired people all over the world to paint their lips, fringe their eyes with eyeliner, and publicly powder their noses (and knees, to the distraught of the older folks with Victorian sensibilities)!

    When I first got into makeup as a teenager, I was incredibly smitten with the Bright Young Things of the 20s and attempted to recreate their look on my own face. Though I had very beginning level skills, attempting my first smokey eye and drawing my lipstick in the exaggerated "beestung lip" style, I was completely transfixed by the image in the mirror. It was incredibly exciting to see the transformative nature of makeup that I hadn't really experienced until then - and it was truly the beginning of my love of makeup! I wanted to try my hand at the 20s style again now that I know a bit more about makeup (heh). 399 Secrete is a vampy purple that is perfect for this era, but is also completely timeless.

    I'm wearing:

  • L'Absolu Rouge 399 Secrete Lipstick *
  • Mauve blush

    The Gidget
    Retro summer sweetness! I can just imagine relaxing on the beach in this fruit popsicle inspired look.

    For the final look featuring 114 Amuse-Bouche, a bright coral in a cream finish, I wanted a fresh look that could be worn relaxing on the beach like in a retro summer flick - preferably with a fruit popsicle in hand!

    I'm wearing:

  • L'Absolu Rouge 114 Amuse-Bouche Lipstick *
  • Peachy blush (in Beam)
  • Gold eyeshadow (in Kitten)
  • Kat Von D Pastel Goth eyeshadows *
  • Milk Makeup foundation *

    Which of the four looks is your personal favorite?

  • Butterflies by Bao Ngo

    Tuesday, May 16, 2017

    When I first "met" Bao Ngo on tumblr a few years ago, we immediately clicked! We’d stay up late chatting, laughing at memes and exchanging tips as self-taught freelancers. Bao is incredibly talented, darkly humorous, and sharp as a tac - I feel like we had been friends for years in our first week of friendship.

    Bao’s hazy, stunning photography style envelopes you into a dreamlike world with the incredible use of light and color.

    In January, Bao and our friend, fellow photographer Karen Sofia Colon (more on Karen and our photos together soon!), made the trek from New York all the way to the West Coast and stopped by Oregon! We got to spend 24 hours together, taking photos, laughing, and staying in a cosy and adorable Airbnb.

    For our first shoot together, Bao was inspired by the Cottingley Fairies and styled me in a tutu with daisies, butterflies, and glitter. Though I was absolutely freezing (ayyy-o wearing very little in 30°F and sitting in wet grass! haha), it was still so fun just being able to finally hang out with Bao in person, and the end result looks magical!

    I tried my best at doing a bit of vlogging that day, and you can see a little peak at our day together in this video! I keep wishing I got more footage, but alas, I’m still very new to these things!

    We ended up doing two shoots together, I’ll be posting more soon! It is incredibly reaffirming and in a way healing to be able to work on little projects like this with people I click so well with - I'm so grateful to be able to work with such talented people.







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