There’s a few sure fire things that the lingering holiday season can do to you (even when the hangovers are gone), like: make you gain weight, read the books you’ve hadn’t the chance to, look at old pictures of yourself during your awkward “over-tweezing” phase, and last but not least, identifying the objects and items that you plan to obsess over for the next month or so. There’s a few things that I can’t seem to quit recently and it wouldn’t be fair not to share my new vices with you. Even if they just might be gone tomorrow.
1. Anthropologie
Visits to endless suburban malls during the holidays from Maryland to Long Island had me wandering a little further from the Auntie Anne’s pretzel stand and closer to the quaint and embellished decor in Anthropologie. I’ve always gone into the store, gaped at the brilliant decor but always become too distracted and forget that I was there to shop. But, once I put my ADD at bay, I found myself getting my hands on the most precious lingerie and lounge sets, candles, squirrel jewelry holders, fragrances from Le Labo, and the magazine for the ultimate wanderlusters: Anthology. Keith Johnson, now I’m getting the full picture of why I loved you so much in Man Shops Globe.
2. Pinky Rings
I always loved that saying in mobster movies “kiss my ring”, which is usually pertaining to the pinky ring of a mob boss. When I ordered this grenade ring on ASOS from AMO by Tom Binns, a size smaller than I am, I just slipped it on my pinky finger and kept it moving. I didn’t want to send anything back, but this ensued all types of pinky acessorizing brainstorming. Ironically enough, I ran into a sale at Club Monaco where I found a stack of delicate rings with a Moroccan motif. I painted my nails in Terracotta by Essie and stacked some more statement rings on my ring and middle fingers. So now everytime I look down, it feels like I’ve been transported to a Moroccan marketplace.
3. Portlandia
I got a year long Netflix subscription as a gift and I couldn’t be more ecstatic about watching every last movie and docu in my instant Q. One early suggestion that came up for me was Portlandia, the satirical sketch comedy on IFC from Fred Armisen (SNL) and Carrie Brownstein (Sleater-Kinney). After watching season one in its entirety, I’ve been hooked on the sarcastic humor of the feminist bookshop keepers and Nanc who gets pulled into a polygamist cult after searching for the owners of an organic free range chicken she ordered at a Portland restaurant. And in all my shrewd glory, Portlandia came back for season two on IFC this past Friday with Andy Samberg as guest star.
4. Mindy Kaling
Finally, I got to read “Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me + Other Concerns” and so glad I did. I finished the book in 48 hours cover to cover. I couldn’t put the book down, worrying I would be missing a funny little quirk of Mindy’s or screenshot of the everyday thoughts that run through her scintillating mind. I marveled at the bravery of honesty in her writing. Mindy is proud to be herself when no one or everyone is looking. Her radiating confidence gives her the keen ability to make people laugh and feel good about themselves. Not everyone can do that. She’s really a shining example of a creative woman of modernity and wit.
5. Smashbox Blush Rush
I’m not into loud makeup of the dark and bright persuasion, but I do love beauty products that help achieve a natural and understated look. There’s always a new product that I love to get my hands on to try. I had been a Benefit girl in high school and slowly turned to Nars for everything in college. Now more recently, I’ve been using Laura Mercier because her tinted moisturizer is beyond. I was getting tired of the redness of my everyday Nars blush in Lovejoy. So after a bit of beauty browsing, I picked up Smashbox’s Blush Rush in Bare. And although skeptical at first, I became a believer after applying it the next day. It’s soft and sweet in color, a natural flush for olive skin and right up my alley. And if you’re ever looking for great brushes for application, Bare Escentuals has the softest around.