trying to get pretty.

My skin hates me these days. You'd think with all of the moisture in the air here, it would be dewy and clear. You would be wrong. I've been bouncing all over the place on facial products and having a hard time finding anything that works. After a couple of mediocre tries at the drugstore, I decided to suck it up and buy the infamous Hope in a Jar by Philosophy. I'd heard it works miracles. It did not work at all for me. First of all, it smells very, very medicinal and harsh. I felt like I was at the doctor's office. I know unscented is preferred in facial products, but couldn't they add a little lavender or something? Secondly, it stung my face as though it had a ton of SPF. Thirdly, I broke out in tiny blemishes, almost like a rash. I gave it a week, but no dice.

Lucky for me, Sephora has a great return policy. So, I drove down to the mall and very easily got my money back (thank you, Sephora!). Instead of impulse buying, I asked for a sample of a product I'd heard of: Boscia's Luminizing Black Mask.

My husband asked me if I was going to some kind of extreme football game. Then I chased him around the house and tackled him. He was terrified. Ahh, marriage...

Anyway, it is goopy and black, like I'd imagine oil from the barrel looks. There wasn't enough in the sample to cover my entire visage, but I smeared what I had on my freshly washed face and waited about 15 minutes until it dried. Then the fun part: It peels off! I wish I had pictures, but he was asleep and I had my hands full. It was so fun to pick and peel it off. I looked like an alien in a science-fiction movie.

 Guys, this stuff is awesome. My skin was soft and smooth underneath, and it was totally gentle but not over-moisturizing. I'll probably head back to Sephora in the next couple of weeks (it's far away! At the mall!) and grab this if I can scrounge up the cash. It's $34 for 2.8 ounces, which I think would last for quite a while if I used it twice a week. Can't wait to see how terrifying I look when I cover my entire face with it!

bringing wide back.

The skinny jean look has been in for what seems like forever. It took me a while to get on board with leggings, peg legs, jeggings, etc. Suddenly, one day, I couldn't imagine my life without a pair of unpants and a tunic. I forsook my boot-cut jeans and tailored trousers for pants tucked into boots and shapeless, bum-covering sweaters. It was as comfy as wearing yoga pants, only I was appropriate for public consumption!

Then, slowly in the past couple of months, I started noticing more flares on the fashion and style blogs I frequent. Even bellbottoms seemed to be making a comeback! And one day, I put my favorite pair of boot-cut jeans back on with my new Frye boots. It was like a fog was lifted. I didn't HAVE to give up my figure-flattering jeans completely! Just a few weeks ago, I came across my newest, most coveted obsession: The EmersonMade. Original Bluebells.

Oh boy, these are awesome. Portland is the land of jorts and Tom's shoes, and these seem to be the polar opposite. But I'm OK with that. Hipsters be damned, I am ready for some wide-leg jeans and four inch heels. Welcome back to my life, tailoring. 

scout.

When I was college, one hundred years ago, the "look" for sorority girls was black, flare-legged, tight pants that I called "porn pants," and the ubiquitous Kate Spade diaper bag became THE bag to carry with said pants. Or any time, really. I was never a fan. Rigid-sided and almost triangular, in a black fabric, it looked just like its nickname: A diaper bag! I'll cop to wearing the black pants, but really, Kate Spade never did it for me.

I changed my mind. J'adore this bag. Especially in this amazing orange, though I wish it were a little bigger. The larger Scout only comes in natural and white. It strikes me as the perfect bag for a day trip or walking around the city. Any city. Plus, I do like that smaller purses limit the amount of junk I can carry around. I'm adding this to the rapidly growing list of Things I Wish I Could Buy Upon Employment.

Kate Spade Essex Small Scout in Orange

Soap flakes

I dislike liquid soaps and body washes and tend to buy either really fancy, French-milled soaps or plain ol' Dove in an eight-pack box. This design student has come up with two awesome dispensers that I would love to get my hands on...

Oh wow, do I want one of these! I am a sucker for slickly designed gadgets. This is just ingenious.

Here's the "grater" design as well as some gratuitous belly button.

Soap flake dispensers, a favorite of 101 Cookbooks. 

The color evoked by light

I want to write a story about this dress... the woman who wears this dress. She might be going to an outdoor cocktail party in mid-June, or she could be meeting her best friend for an afternoon at the museum and champagne afterward. She's probably thoughtful and deliberate without being boring and rigid. She wants to look put together but not have to stress about accessorizing. Hopefully, a small black clutch looks good with this dress. She needs this dress to multi-task as well as she does, and hopefully she has the right shoes to fancy it up or casual it down. Sigh. I think she looks a lot like me...

See by Chloe Sleeveless Pleat Dress

A future in plastics

I've been obsessed with Bakelite for years. Though I have never pulled the trigger and bought any for myself, I fantasize that I have a room full of plastic bangles and ashtrays and other kitchy, awesome items. Apparently, artist Mark Davis has brought Bakelite back, repurposing vintage materials with a luxury twist, adding diamond and precious metal studs to his pieces. This domed ring is incredible. Love.

All I ever wanted in the same martini glass

I love grilled cheese. I love tomato soup. I love martinis. So, a grilled cheese and tomato soup martini?? Should be right up my alley, right? Ehhhh, I have to be honest, this looks kind of disgusting. But I'd still try it. I can see the wheels turning in the bartender's head. "I have a grilled cheese, I have some rum. What can I do here?"

This makes me want to start inventing random drinks. Hot-and-sour-soup collins? Brie cheese gimlet? There's gotta be a winner in my brain somewhere.