My favorite skin

I have been in a bit of a rut as far as skin care goes lately. I love skin care products and love trying new things, but right now I am trying to work through what I have, which is decidedly boring. Everything I have tried recently has been a bit underwhelming, with the exception of the items below.

Kiehl's Ultra Moisturizing Eye Stick 

This is a really lovely product. It is a light moisturizer that applies easily to the delicate eye area and-- best of all-- it contains SPF 30. I like to layer it over my regular eye cream during the day and plan on taking it to the beach with me in March. This is a product I wish I had a long time ago.

L'Occitane Almond Supple Skin Oil

I love just about everything L'Occitane has to offer, but this oil is especially nice. I don't use this oil every day, but usually once a week after a shower or bath. It is definitely a luxury product to me in the sense that it takes a bit more time to apply and absorb than a typical body lotion would. The scent is light and delicious (like Madeleines) and leaves my dry skin soft, especially during the winter months.

Josie Maran Argan Oil

Argan oil is everywhere now and this is the first one I remember hearing about a few years ago, though I have only just recently tried it. I was offered a sample in Sephora last week and have since fallen in love with this product. It is a thorough moisturizer without feeling the least bit greasy (though I don't know if the effect would be the same with someone who has oily or even normal skin-- mine is very dry, especially in January and February). I will definitely be purchasing a full size bottle in the near future.

Sometimes we must rely on the little things to make a grey time of year feel special...

Oh, Vanity

I have had one item on my wishlist for many years now: a vanity table (or dressing table, whichever you prefer to call it). The idea of sitting down to apply one's lipstick and perfume à la Gloria in The Beautiful and Damned is so decadent.

Several years ago, my sister received this vanity as a birthday gift. Since then, I have been saving random photos of lavish vanity tables in hopes of one day finding just the right one. (Unfortunately, many of the most beautiful ones seem only to be available in the UK.)

See it here

See it here

Find it here

I find the dramatic lines and simple adornment of the above tables inspiring. The neutral tones allow for changes in taste further down the road, which is also appealing to someone like me, whose personal style always seems to be evolving.

Over the weekend, while walking through IKEA with my mom, I spotted a beautiful blue-grey dressing table from the Edland collection, which is evidently being discontinued. I had envisioned a mirrored table or one made of lucite, but this one is a bit understated and perfectly lovely. I had to have it. My mom purchased it as an early birthday gift to me, though we are now in search of a mirror and chair to go with it (I have my eye on a button-tufted sidechair in putty grey).

Here is how they have it styled in the IKEA catalogue, which I think looks quite nice.

More details here

So pretty. 

Slippery slope

Generally, I like snow. Not today. This morning, I took a slide down a hill and ran over a stop sign. Leveled it. Is there a more terrifying feeling than having no control over your vehicle? (Maybe, but this is foremost in my mind, so I'll say no.)

Luckily, no one was hurt and my car sustained minimal damage. But I will definitely not be venturing down that hill when it's snowing ever again.

I feel a little stuck today; like I have nothing to say. But, still, I wanted to post because I told myself I would.

The going is slow, but still, I am going.

In the back of my mind, writing inanities on a blog read by no one seems foolish. Especially when I am writing only to write, not because I have a burning need to say anything in particular. Not yet, anyway. I think of this:

Be still when you have nothing to say; when genuine passion moves you, say what you've got to say, and say it hot.
                                                          - D.H. Lawrence

So, what am I passionate about?

Books
Unexpected kindnesses
Beautiful spaces (man-made, animal-made, nature-made)
Art (which encompasses a lot)
Finding fulfillment (I think we all can)

It can be scary sharing one's passions with the world. They are, after all, passions, and thus very dear. But 2012 is about taking chances, so maybe it's time I let my interests--my passions-- speak for themselves.

Books, books, books

I'm in danger of becoming a book hoarder, I fear. Each week, I visit the library and tell myself I will only pick out one book. This never happens. As a result, my stack of books to be read is growing. Rapidly. 

Really, there are worse things. 

Here are a few which are waiting to be read:

all images from goodreads (love)

I'm feeling a bit under the weather tonight, so I'm in bed with some tea and my pup. And books! 

Random wants

Not that I need anything after the holidays (I was truly spoiled by the loved ones in my life), but these are a few things I have recently (or not so recently) been dreaming about.

juice glasses from Anthro

prettily packaged lip balm, which I can get here

This lovely Raleigh , which I've ridden once in a size too large for me

Any and/or all of the books published by Persephone (this one is great)

We'll see if I manage to get my hands on any of these in 2012...

New year, new endeavor

Today is the day I have been waiting for. An excuse to begin anew, to say with a clear conscience, "I'm starting over." After a tumultuous couple of years, I have decided to make a greater effort to recognize the beautiful things in the world, and in my life in particular.

A blog as a collection of pretty or interesting things is not original; it has been done many times, and done far better than I could hope to do myself. Nonetheless, a blog makes me accountable. It demands that I not only notice something that pleases me, but take the time to document it. So this is what I intend to do.

A rusty start, but I feel certain I will get better.

Last night, instead of ringing in the new year with a glass of champagne and a sparkly dress, I stood under a clear, 13-degree sky inside a park of illuminated ice. It was wonderful and beautiful and a little strange; all things I hope are indicative of the year to come.

Happy New Year, everyone. May 2012 be an adventure in unexpected ways.