on being irresponsible

Some days I'm really productive.

...This is not one of those days.

Let's see, 2 o'clock. So far today, I've had brunch with the girls (which I like to think of as our "Sex and the City" group, cause there's 4 of us, and we always meet for brunch, and I even have each of us roughly identified in my head as each character, but I don't think they know that. Hey guys, I'm a nerd!), and painted all 20 of my nails.

This was my breakfast.
All the food groups are here: coffee, fruit, carbs, and dairy.

Some days it's a little hard for me to be responsible. It's a gorgeous spring day (bluest sky EVER) I'm sitting in bed with the light streaming in the window, wearing my cozy oversized Star Wars shirt, with the espresso machine prepped and ready for my 2nd latte of the day, donuts waiting in the wings, nails drying (ok they've totally been dry for 20 minutes, but I'm just using that as an excuse now), and it's kind of great.

Cause hey, I get one day off in the week, and this is it, so instead of using it to run around like a crazy chicken (like I so often do on this day), why not just enjoy the day off? That's what I'm telling myself at least.



...Okay, but now I have to go clean. I really do.
But after my latte.

Some days it's also hard to eat right.

Aaaand, I'm out.
Hope you have a really wonderful day.

images in this post (besides my food pictures) were found here

my 10 essentials

(you know, as far as material possessions/getting dressed in the morning goes)

1. An airy, light, easy dress - One of those ones that hits you right about mid-thigh and floats around you just right without really hugging anything at all. Admittedly, my husband doesn’t like things that “don’t hug anything at all”, but I can’t lie and say I don’t love the feeling of just throwing the thing on for the day with a pair of flats and I’m out the door. The best thing about such dresses is that they are easily belted and worn with leggings or tights for a completely different look. So versatile, so effortless.

2. A men’s button-down - Sexy and perfect. Great with jeans. Unbuttoned just the right amount. Preferably with minimal accessories.


photo by vanessa jackman

3. Black patent flats.

4. Music - I crave it, need it for therapy, need it to dance to, need it to be happy, need it to relax, need it to daydream, need it to run.
I'm pretty dern excited about this mix CD swap I'm gonna participate in. I may just do one of my own on here someday.

5. Red lipstick - Such a powerful accessory. I know you’ve heard it a thousand times before, but it’s true that it instantly glams your outfit and makes you feel at least 85% sexier. And that’s a fact.




photos by Vanessa Jackman
(So many of my ideals going on in her look)

6. Big earrings - I am so often lazy and revert to giant, obtrusive earrings as my accessory for the day, just so I don’t have to think about coordinating anything else. They’re so easy.

7. Perfume - I hope I don’t sound dumb if I say I feel naked without it. Cause I feel naked without it.

8. Coffee - Every day, or headache ensues.

9. Leggings - They’re not going away yet, at least not in my wardrobe.

10. Beach Spray - Anything that smells like coconut and is purposed to give ‘sexy waves’ or texture, is a go-to for me. I use it pretty much every day, no matter how I do my hair, because even if my hair is up, I think it makes everything better later. And it smells like the beach, so how can you go wrong? I’ve tried multiple brands in search of the perfect one (ever since John Frieda stopped making that luscious beach waves spray or whatever it was called), and so far my favorite is Sedu Beach Spray. But I’ll gladly take recommendations.

photo via The Sartorialist
If this jacket were in my closet it would be on this list. Such an essential.

Runners up: Carmex, Orbit Sweet Mint Gum, and my Richard Chai super-comfy long black cardigan.

So tell me, what are your essentials?

THE PERFECT SERIES: the perfect pantsuit

Astrid Munoz, photographed by Vanessa Jackman

-Really tired and reaallly full from the over-zealous four-course dinner I made tonight, which was tasty, but I'm regretting that last course: dessert. It was the least-best course, believe it or not. Usually my strong point/favorite part. And now I think I need to run around the block at least twice.

-Watching that hoarders show on TV is both shocking and mesmerizing, but only for less than or equal to one episode, cause then it gets to be just too much and I can't take it anymore.

-Today should be Thursday.

music and lyrics

One day I saw this game on this sweet blog and decided to give it a try, just for fun, to amuse myself. But everything turned out so funny and some oddly appropriate, that I just had to post it. I promise this is just how the shuffle went, no skipping of songs or anything.

Rules:
Put your Zune or iPhone or whatever you use on shuffle.

At each question, write the name of the song as the answer, even if it doesn't match.

1. How do you feel today? It's a Beautiful Life (Ace of Base)

2. Will you get far in life? Bittersweet (Sara Bareilles)

3. How do your friends see you? Better Man (Pearl Jam)

4. Will you get married ? Party Up in Here (DMX)

5. What song defines your best friend ? Are We Different? (Priscilla Ahn)

6. What is the story of your life ? Sweet Disposition (Temper Trap)

7. How was life in highschool? Let me Blow Ya Mind (Eve)

8. Can you go forward in life ? Tik Tok (Kesha)

9. What is the best thing about your friends? I Used to Love You (John Legend)

10. What are you going to do this weekend ? Carousel (Laura Izibor)

-Yeah, I know, I have that Kesha song on my iPod.

-I still love my friends.
-This weekend was kind of like a carousel. Oh, metaphors.
-And I am not a man.
Try it if you like, it's kinda fun!

And be sure to enjoy your week.

photography by jody rogac

trip.episode2.china.

Some more pictures, as promised, from our trip! It's only been what, 2 1/2 weeks since I got back?

Such a gorgeous, peaceful day this was. One of my favorite days of the trip, probably.

The view from our hotel room. The streets get really crowded as everyone gets off work.


Random from the hotel lobby.

At this California cuisine restaurant (yeah, we were in China, but you have to know that when it's just two English-only speaking people going out for dinner, the most sensible and safe thing to do is go to a Western type restaurant), we got the whole upstairs to ourselves to shoot some pool.
I totally won.

No, I'm kidding. I didn't. Joseph is kind of an all-star when it comes to pool. And my skills are less than admirable.

But I'm good at wine, so I resorted to that.

Now at a Mexican restaurant for breakfast! We found all the different cuisines.

The best latte I'd had in awhile.

A rooftop cafe on a hazy day.

Background: more rooftop cafe, an unsuspecting Joseph and a mediocre coffee smoothie.
Middleground: Chinese Vogue and the remains of a "happy muffin" which was actually a waffle which was actually super delicious.
Foreground: the best mango smoothie EVER ever.


And yep, Texas BBQ. On the boardwalk by the sea. In China.

Complete with live music (think "House of the Rising Sun") and a mechanical bull that, while we were there, was only ridden by two men (not at the same time). Different.





Okay, that's enough for now.

today i fell in love with salt & pepper shakers

I was at Bloomingdale home and was so smitten by these figs from Michael Aram's collection that I had to get out quick before I drooled all over the shiny pretty things.
The pears were cute too:
Actually, his whole collection is kind of great. And kind of expensive.
oh sigh.

I was tagged by Allie to list 10 good things.

In case you didn't know it, I just love Allie.
Here's 10 other good things:

1. Lemons.

I recently cut a lemon in half and took a good look at it before squeezing the life out of it. It was actually really beautiful, and I'd never taken the time to notice/appreciate it before. Lemons are bright, fresh, cheery, delicious. And the smell of lemons, I mean come on. It doesn't get better. This is starting to sound weird.

2. Naps in the middle of the afternoon with the sun streaming through your window.

3. Drinking coke (or diet coke) from a glass bottle. I don't know why it's so much better that way, but it is.

4. Lilac nail polish, which I talked about wanting a whole year ago and seriously didn't buy until a few weeks ago, and then didn't even use until now, and I'm really loving it. Everytime I look at my nails I get happy, the color is so innocent and cheerful.

Essie's St. Lucia Lilac

It was important that I cover up my Sunday-lounging-on-the-couch face, but unfortunately I couldn't hide the Sunday hair.

5. Reading in a park on a beautiful day.

Maybe it's a Kindle.
No, no it's not.
image source

6. Eating just plain angel food cake by the handful ...um, pool.

7. Having a great, natural, vacation-by-the-beach tan/glow. Nothing beats that.
Sigh. Wish I still had mine.

8. Live music. Especially blues or jazz.

9. Aquascutum's spring 2010 collection. Just re-looked, just re-loved.
Samples:

10. Annnd....(get ready for some mad combination skills) this happy little award I was thrilled to receive from Enchanted Gardens:
It's a great blog she's got going on over there, you should check it out, and I'm not just saying that.
Thank you so much!

THE PERFECT SERIES: the perfect sweater dress

A continuation from awhile back when I started this feature.
(If you were wondering what was going on)

Photo credit: Vanessa Jackman

chloe watson

My newest girl crush.

photos: grant thomas, unknown

Just Yasmin today...
Esther isn't up to the job.

And not to worry, I don't often refer to myself in the 3rd person. Only on special occasions.

Image sources, top to bottom: the sartorialist, vanessa jackman, unknown

trip.episode1.hongkong.

Our first night was spent in Hong Kong, where we explored a couple of the nightlife areas. This sort of shows the activity, and this was taken probably around 3AM in a section of town where they actually block of some streets and it's one big party. All night long.

We also went to this bar where we saw maybe the most amazing cover band ever. Rock songs from Queen, ACDC, etc....all played flawlessly. They covered Bohemian Rhapsody and it actually sounded really really great and we all know that is no easy feat. Also the drummer was hilarious and kept changing outfits and had the exact same voice as the lead singer of ACDC. Add that to people from literally all over the world dancing around like maniacs in the middle of the floor and you have yourself a pretty amazing experience.

(me and my friend jet-lag)

Breakfast the next morning. I had to post this picture because it gives a glimpse at Joseph's crazy breakfast plate (foreground). It was their "special", and ended up being a plate full with toast, french fries, baked beans, eggs, mushrooms, bacon, and a whole grilled tomato. It was actually pretty good, and in the end we figured the only thing that didn’t belong were the baked beans, which remained untouched in the middle of the plate. We also discovered that french fries are good anytime of the day. You can always use a french fry.

Along Hong Kong's "Avenue of Stars", which is basically the equivalent of Hollywood's "Walk of Fame", only with famous Chinese people instead. The weather was gorgeous and windy.

Starbucks on the Avenue of Stars. Never seen an ugly coffee dome before.

Bliss.

I like Hong Kong. It kind of seems like a cross between Vegas and San Francisco (I would know, cause I've totally been there once for 3 hours).