Make Up on the Daily

Cooler temps call for not only dark polish and new lipstick, but an update to the daily makeup routine is in order. I avoid as many forms of skin make up as possible when its 90 degrees and humid, but come September, I cant wait to apply a good BB and some cream blush. Being the product junkie that I am, I cant resist trying anything that Birch Box supplies. A few of my daily favorites that still keep my morning routine down to 10 minutes:

1. Skin- I am a big fan of Tarte's BB Cream. I've tried a few brands, but this one does not cause breakout, is all natural, has physical sunscreen (as opposed to the chemical formulas I avoid like the plague), and is relatively full on coverage for a BB. I set it with a tiny brush of the It Cosmetics Bye Bye Pores power.

2. Cheeks- I love the Nars Multiple in Maui and Orgasm all year long. I add a bit of Benefit Watts Up highlighting stick to the tops of my cheeks in the fall for a tiny hint of office appropriate shimmer.

3. Eyes- You have already heard me rave about It Cosmetics new Bye Bye Under Eye corrector and their concealer on top. I also love the Bobbi Brown concealer duo for a quick touch-up during the day. For my lids, I love the Urban Decay Naked palette, I've used it for over a year and still go to it everyday. I work a small amount of Bobbi Brown chocolate eyeliner into my top lashes, and a light coat of Clinique High Impact Mascara.

4. Brows- I fill my brows with a Trish McEvoy pencil, but really, any brand would be fine. I then use Benefit Gimme Brow to plump and hold them in place all day.

Any new products I'm missing out on? Tell me!

Remembering Dad

Though I think of you every day, certain days are more intense than others. When I want to reach for the phone, but have to stop myself. I was brought to tears at my desk when I became a Vice President last winter, when I was invited to make my first conference presentation among fellow presenters 15 years senior to me, and in my car when Tucker read an entire 2 word phrase this summer, when a friend posted on Facebook she had been to Mill Pond for dinner, when I drive past Blackstones steakhouse at lunch time. And when I feel alone, that I am past the stage of being parented, of being unattended when I need to be attended to, I cry without you in my recent call list to redial. But I laugh when retelling the stories of you, of the time you spotted the dented bumper on my Explorer before I had pulled into the driveway, when they mispronounced our last name at law school graduation and I felt you there in the audience at Lincoln Center while we both rolled our eyes, when you gave the toast at our wedding. I cant yet bring myself to look through the folder of saved morning emails in my inbox archives, now 2 years old. Today, my heart hurts as it often does when I look at the many pictures of us on my wall and across my desk. But I smile, too.

Office Space with We Work

Nothing gets me more excited for a day of work than the perfect office set up. In my current job, I am fortunate enough to have my own office. The furniture came with the territory, so I have no choice but to work with what I have. For those necessary days when I work from home, I have more control over the details of my work space.

Entrepreneurs like my husband who have long been stuck working in a closest in their home, bedrooms, or Starbucks have a new option for refined, inspiring spaces. WeWork offers these amazing workspaces in many major cities, with reasonable prices for desks or private offices. My favorite is their SoHo location at 175 Varick, the clean space and amazing décor make it quite an upgrade from days working alone at a crowded coffee shop.

Product Review: IT Cosmetics

I love to try beauty products. I have tried hundreds of brands, products and formulas over the years ranging from drug store finds to high end purchases. Since I have been genetically cursed with horrid under eye circles, concealers are always on the top of my 'to-try' list. After reading many beauty bloggers rave about the It Cosmetics brand and a new under eye corrector, I had to give it a try. Ulta's amazing return policy makes it less risky to spend $29 on something, and happily Im actually going back to get a second jar for travel.


Since this purchase I have also added the 'Bye Bye Pores Pressed Powder' and the 'CC Eye Cream' to my daily routine. I always found concealers would go on well then disappear by mid day, but these products set with the powder seem to last. I also added Laura Gellers' under eye primer which I had never even heard of, and its a must for people who need more than 4 hours from their eye concealer and hate creasing.


For an upcoming whirlwind trip to San Francisco, Napa and Walnut Creek California for a marathon of work meetings I will be packing these new finds in my carryon and applying in airport restrooms on the daily!

Thoughts on a Friday

The 'no wine on weeknights' rule of my post-Labor Day diet has failed a mere 3 days in.





I spent more on new fall lipstick shades than it would have cost to buy new fall boots.





I went to Starbucks everyday this week for some kind of beverage with pumpkin spice syrup in it. Really, I went more than once each day.





My 4 year old started pre-K this week, and when the bus pulled away I felt intensely sad and overwhelmed with an odd feeling of guilt, remorse and inexplicable longing. This, they say, is motherhood in its truest emotional form.

Insta-Snaps

Linking up with Mix & Match and Forage Fashion

Home Decor: Bar Cart





Bar Cart: Target// Martini glasses: Mark & Graham// Decanter: Waterford

One piece that has been missing from my home since we purchased it in 2011 and then designed each room on our own has been a fabulous bar cart. Since I have perpetually on a tight budget, all the choices I would fall for were actually affordable. Enter Target. I finally found a cart that's the perfect size, color and style, and most importantly, price!

What is one piece of home decor you have been on the hunt for?