A Girl and Her Purse

Posted on November 26, 2013 by 4evamaria

alternately “On Purses and the Secrets They Carry”

I recently was given the suggesting to post a little something-something on the ~~obsession~~ relationship women have with their purses. When I write, relationship, I mean relationship. It’s something that’s almost inherently built in to us from the beginning. I remember playing with my little cousin, at the ripe age of three, who was toting around a purse. She wanted to show me all the wonderful things she had inside. What could a three year old need a moment’s notice? Puzzle pieces. As amused as I was, I couldn’t help but wonder what poor soul she had pilfered the pieces from. They will forever wonder what happened to them, unable to complete their chunky puzzle because a toddler needed something to fill her purse with.

As you can see, I have fully disclosed the contents of my most current purse above. Thus far, it’s pretty generic. I have my beloved sunglasses, keys, wallet, my iPod, a variety of lipsticks, and a brand new little tube of concealer. Yes, those are tea bags. You never know when you might need these things. Not pictured are a handful of receipts and my iPhone. I’m unfortunately the worst hoarder of lip products within a purse that you have ever seen. Once they go in, that’s where they stay. Hence the growing collection:

If you’re wondering, I do need two almost identical lipsticks. A lip balm (for more casual occasions), a high-end lipstick for when I’m feeling fancy, and a lip gloss. These are all different, I swear. Ask any woman who wears makeup on a regular basis. The most embarrassing behavior I exhibit with my purse, however, is treating it like a trash can. Not sure where to put that crumpled up tissue? In your purse! Tired of that gum you’re chewing? Stick in an old receipt. Where?! In your purse! Tired of holding things? Put it in your purse! It’s magic.

The problem comes when you have said purse, now full of trash, that you’re forever carrying around. So you do what I do: buy a new one! Then transfer the essentials and marvel at how clean it is. As I tend to rotate my most used purse every year or so, many of my discarded “receipt holders” do get cleaned out and shown some love again. It just takes me a little while. Until next time!

Love,

EVA♥

Five Things

Posted on November 21, 2013 by 4evamaria

This week’s Five things is going to be a little bit different. I’m sharing five things that not very many people know about me.

1.// I was always made to wear turtlenecks as a child. Under everything. Dresses, overalls, even my Halloween costume in Kindergarten. I was the only gold lamé angel on the playground with a long-sleeved white turtle neck to match my wings. Because we all know that you might get a pneumonia and die if you get cold. I’m slowly starting to warm up to wearing them again, but it’s a love/hate relationship if there ever was one.

2.//I have a co-dependent relationship with my sunglasses. More accurately, a dependent relationship, as I’m sure my sunglasses don’t care if I wear them or not. I hate being without my sunglasses. They’re like my armor against the world on bad days, and they make anything you’re wearing seem more put together. Mind you, I do not own one pair of expensive sunglasses. They usually run about the $0-$10 range. I did recently purchase a pair for $40, and now obsessively guard them.

3.//I’m afraid of heights, but I forget it all the time. It’s usually not until I’m peering out the window of a tall building, or at the top of a rock wall that I realize that I’m totally horrified. Whoops.

4.//I was the most awful leash-child ever. I’ve resigned myself to the fact that I’m probably going to pay for it with my own kids someday. Not only did I try to run away from my parents every chance I could get, but I learned how to unlock every lock on the front door of our house as quickly as possible and make a run for it. This all stopped when they got a special lock I couldn’t reach. They still have it on their door. Too bad for them I’m tall now.

5.//I’m convinced I have a larger imagination than is healthy for a normal adult. Yes, I dance around my house pretending I’m in a field of flowers/on the beach/at the worlds most amazing club on a regular basis. In the kitchen I put on my apron and imagine that I’m Betty Crocker, cooking for 20 people. And yes, when it’s cold out and I have to wear socks inside, I pretend I’m Tom Cruise in Risky Business. I know you all do it too, so don’t judge me!

Why I Suck at Not Working, and other news….

Posted on November 20, 2013 by 4evamaria

Hello All!

As many of you know, I’ve made quite a few changes to my life recently that I’m very proud of. I said goodbye to my corporate, “Big Girl” job. Goodbye to early mornings, OTD stats, and health benefits. I’ve found myself another job (!) for a fabulous company I’ve long admired and wanted to be a part of. I bought myself a plane ticket to somewhere I’ve never been before, possibly the farthest away from home I could physically get. I’ve started this blog, which has, on many days, lifted my spirits more than you can imagine. (Thanks for reading everyone ♥)

Also, I’m sort-of blonde now.

Despite all the active steps I’ve taken to improve the general quality of my life, there are some things I have to admit. Like the fact that I suck at not working. I mean…I’m really bad at it. As much as I would like to believe that I’m a free spirit that can do anything and go anywhere I please, I need some structure. Lack of structure and lack of coffee make Eva very cranky. Like they say: A body in motion tends to stay in motion. A body at rest, tends to stay at rest and shove its face full of popcorn in its pajamas all day, apparently. I find it almost easier to pack as many things as I can in to my day and forcibly make room for the important things, than have a leisurely open schedule. Which I know is completely nuts. Complications tend to arise from occasional bouts of anxiety; I’ve been experiencing and managing them since before I can remember. The one way I can think to describe it is how one swaddles a newborn baby to comfort it. Used to being in a confined space, it has no idea of what to do with its arms and legs suddenly flailing about out in the world. Sure, being wrapped up like a burrito doesn’t sound or look comfortable to us, but it works. And, admittedly, I have many days where I wake up, go about my morning routine, and suddenly find myself failing. All of my plans and errands seem erroneous and self-defeating. “Just relax! Read a book. Go for a walk.” Yeah, NO. That took about 10 minutes of my day. Now what? The irony that exists here is that I often need time to myself to regroup and find a sense of ease in life.

It’s amazing how many “guides” and how much witty commentary is out there giving advice on time spent alone. (This is one of my favorites.) It’s reassuring that so many people are still learning how to just “be” on any given occasion. I’d like to think that I’ve gotten a pretty good hang of it so far, but need a reminder every now and again. A think a lot of my anxiety stems from the thought that I might miss an opportunity to appreciate a fleeting moment in my life. Nothing is a guarantee. So you have to make the most of it. Even when sitting around in your pajamas.

Love,

EVA♥

Why I am not yet a Grown-Up

Posted on November 18, 2013 by 4evamaria

A fantastically flattering question I get asked often by my students:

“Miss Eva….Are you a kid? Or a Grown Up?”

Considering I still do things like eat cake for breakfast, I can see where the confusion comes from. In additional news, I still do not know how to answer this question properly.

YES. Yes I am a grown-up.

(???)

Because I do things like write checks, shop for insurance, and figure out my taxes. I also own a vacuum and can cook a whole turkey. I feel this is a socially acceptable definition of being “grown-up.” Nevermind that one of my teenage students had to explain what a mortgage was to me the other day. Do I need one? No, no I do not. Problem solved.

I’ve lived on my own for the last 2 years of my life, and have managed to not yet set anything on fire. I love my apartment and my purple bathroom. I know things about wine, own original art and many tubes of lipstick. I am a grown up on paper, and as much as I like the idea, I’m glad I’m not one.

I have almost zero responsibilities, except the ones that I choose for myself. I haven’t settled in to anything, as nice as that sounds, and relish the idea of being able to reinvent myself whenever possible. I don’t really have to answer to anyone- I can buy as many pairs of impractical shoes as I want. And if I want them to live on my bookshelf, they can. And, in defense of single gals everywhere: just because I enjoy having fun, special things in my life doesn’t make me vapid or less of a contributing member of society. I have a tremendous amount of respect for those “grown ups” out there that can find the value in young people. Even better, those that haven’t let the energy of being a total kid get away from them. I hope to be like them someday.

In moments of doubt, I try to remember what a good friend of mine said: “It’s okay. We’re cooler than a lot of people.”

Five Things!

Posted on November 14, 2013 by 4evamaria

Hello Everybody!!

It’s Five things time again. Yes, time to see the collection of random things I’ve amassed over the week and documented on my phone. Off we go:

(No. 10: Everything & Nothing. My new perfume acquisition)

Smells like sweet orange, pressed petals, desert moss and tea leaves. So unique.

(A new drink discovery)

Almond water- essentially an Afghan dessert in a glass. Delicious!

(World’s tiniest Gummy Bears)

Courtesy of one of my students. Straight from their own Halloween loot. They know they’re my favorite. ♥

(This is the part of my blog where there’s two cocktails!)

The jalapeño infused”Rosa Picante” on the right, from Redwood Room.

(And a bit of silliness)

The above gif is my general reaction to a complement. I am an unabashed dork. Just saying.

Why I Love My Job

Posted on November 12, 2013 by 4evamaria

I have been dancing since before I can remember.

One of my favorite childhood photos involves me at 2 years old. In a wrinkled tutu with skinned and band-aid covered knees. Eyes closed and dancing in the kitchen, most likely to music only I can hear. Like most little girls, I wanted to be a ballerina before I knew what one was, or even looked like. I remember the first ballet I ever saw, Nijinska’s Bolero, and how I wanted to be the dancer onstage, in my mind, I already was her.

I knew that teaching was always a viable option for a dancer, but there was no guarantee that I’d be any good at it, or that it would lead to anything lasting or memorable. Anyway, who was I to tell anyone what to do? The thing that no one tells you is that your teachers and mentors are just as human as anyone else, and that the transition from student to teacher can be as quick as one day to the next. At least that’s how it was for me. It was the most natural decision I’ve ever made. It was a non-decision. What I never expected was that I would come to love the teaching itself as much as I did. While my students and I have the love of dance in common, I am not in the business of making “dancers.” Instead, I hope that I help them see that the work that they do is important and self-defining. I’ve certainly found my identity through dance, and I hope it serves them the same.

I’ve always known that dance was the most life-affirming of the arts out there. It happens in moments, often impossible to repeat, and endlessly different from one dancer to the next. There’s no putting it behind UV glass or in and environmentally controlled space to keep it forever. It grows and lives within people, it can’t be bought or sold, really. I hope it can say all the right things for me when I can’t find the words to say it.

Love,

EVA♥

Blogs I Love

Posted on November 7, 2013 by 4evamaria

Hello All!

Instead of doing my Five Things this Wednesday, I thought I would share many more things… namely the blogs I enjoy following! These blogs have served as a source of both inspiration and entertainment- namely on the days when I want to be anywhere BUT work. Most are fashion/lifestyle/beauty blogs, or some combination thereof, and a few have grown beyond the typical “blog” category, but I’ll include these here as well because I enjoy them so darn much. And because I can!

First off: Refinery 29

I love that this site has “Local” options. San Francisco, LA, New York, Chicago…When in doubt of what to do with my weekends, I go here for inspiration. Find out about all the newest store openings, art exhibits, restaurants, and music festivals here. Not to mention the great local news, and street-style pics.

(From upper left to right, clockwise)

Gal Meets Glam

This lovely lady is a local, and frequently makes me feel like an insufficient grown up. Everything about her is put together. I love her style, and how she features budget buys with high end pieces.

Chelsea Wears

Another local gal! SF Pride. Simple and edgy style, with a dose of unabashed real-life goofiness. Check out her Halloween costume video if you don’t believe me. Enviable lipstick collection. Definite girl crush.

A Cup of Jo

Former-magazine writer Joanna Goddard’s blog. I find more fascinating articles and links on her page than I know what to do with. It also doesn’t hurt that she happens to have two adorable little boys, that pop up on her posts often.

Zoella

My ombre hair inspiration. She is just too darn cute. I also thoroughly enjoy her youtube videos, and admire how open she is about her day to day life and her struggles with anxiety.

The Bold Italic

Another San Francisco-centric site. There’s something here for everyone. Engaging articles and beautiful photos featuring art & design, food & drink, love & dating, tech, and everything in between. I would love to write for them someday. *Wink wink*

Cupcakes and Cashmere

Miss Emily features some great beauty and fashion inspiration on her blog, as well as delicious recipes and links I could spend hours perusing. It’s the perfect balance of frippery and reality. I’ve found great interview tips, and of course 8 Things Every Happy Woman Should Have.

Smitten Kitchen

I’ve mentioned how much I enjoy Smitten Kitchen on my blog before. I made my favorite soup recipe from this blog just the other day. It’s like having your own online, custom cookbook, but so much better. I’ve honestly lost track of how many recipes I’ve tried. All delicious!

A Piece of Toast

A new discovery, actually through Gal Meets Glam. A sister duo that blogs together. They won me over with their “Toast Talks,” and it’s eerie how much I find myself relating to Molly, who finds herself at a crossroads at the moment. Much like yours truly. Quit that corporate job, girl! Good for you!

I’m sure there’s many more great blogs out there to discover, and I could frankly keep listing them all. These are the ones I find myself returning to again and again over the years, and they always brighten my day when I do. I’m also very open to suggestions, so tell me what blogs you enjoy!

Love,

EVA ♥

Ex Libris.

Posted on November 4, 2013 by 4evamaria

Cheers to a week that went by in a flash!

One of my favorite things is discovering new places, and consequently collecting new stories to tell when Monday rolls around. I daresay my partner-in-crime and I found something rather novel in SOMA this weekend: Novela.

(Rimshot please. I am very proud of myself.)

(An aside: Novela happened to be the former home of Fluid Ultralounge. And though I had nothing against that bar, I found it’s name totally unfortunate. It would be similar to naming a bar “Moist” or “Fiduciary” or some other word that people can’t stand to pronounce/hear. I’m convinced that this was it’s downfall. )

While rather over the top, I definitely had a wonderful time in this library-themed, stylish hangout. The walls were floor-to- ceiling illuminated bookshelves, and the cocktails named after beloved characters from the classics. I got overly excited when I found a drink on the menu by the name of Holden Caulfield. I pointed at the menu and said something terribly verbose, along the lines of “Ooh! Ooh! I know that one!” As if I was, at one point, the only 15 year old that was forced to read Catcher in the Rye in school, only to appreciate it 10 years later.

After an Atticus Finch and Leopold Bloom or two, I made the loop to the ladies room. I found it covered in fantastic, stockinged-leg printed wallpaper, and little gems of wisdom hanging from the walls. This was my favorite, and made me laugh out loud:

Not always 100% true, but touché Ernest.

At the end of the night, and reminiscing over nights previous (you know, when I was young and fun and left the house more than once a week), Miss Rachel came up with the most hilarious idea that I had to share. And possibly bring to fruition. Namely, that there should be “Drunk Bingo.” Now, I don’t mean this in the sense of “Let’s All Have Too Many Midori Sours and Play Bingo,” but more along the lines of: “Let’s Observe All of Other Peoples’ Shenangians for Our Own Enjoyment and Keep Track.” First one to win, gets…I don’t know…

That’s the only point of the game I haven’t worked out yet.

But ideally, it should include some of the following items:

“Getting yelled at by a man with a British Accent. “

“Oops someone fell over. Again.”

“I do believe that person is bleeding.”

“I think someone forgot to put pants on before they left the house. “

“There are high-pitched girly screams happening and I don’t know why.”

“Someone spilt their beverage in my shoes.”

“Oh look! People are waiting in line for no reason.”

and

“That person thinks they’re cleaning up but they’re only making it worse.”

I’d like to say that if we were playing this game on Saturday night, one of us would have won. There was a British man. And he yelled something along the lines of “AYYY! YEW LOOK GOR-GEOUS!” at us.

Love,

EVA ♥

Photo: Refinery 29/Novela

Five Things

Posted on October 31, 2013 by 4evamaria

Happy Halloween eve everyone! (If that’s even a thing) Seems like the holidays are in full swing, and the pumpkins have taken over. They’re everywhere. In your lotion, in your beer. I could do a whole post on it. Someday soon!

Here’s this week’s “Five Things”:

(Meet the latest edition to my Jewelry stash/hoard, courtesy of H&M)

If you’re wondering, I do have magpie-like tendencies.

(Tazo “Rest” Tea)

One of my before bedtime favorites. With lavender & rose. Yum!

And…a little ballerina cake-topper. Something tells me she will make other appearances here in future.

(My nailpolish color matches the walls in my bathroom!)

Just an amusing observation. Forgive my scary hand in this photo.

(Speaking of Pumpkins: Meet Pumpkin Mumkin)

My latest Lush acquisition. He has a little licorice stem, chocolate chip eyes, and makes loads of orange blossom-scented bubbles. Trouble is, he’s too cute for his own good and I can’t bring myself to use him!

(Audrey Hepburn. Dancing. Enough said.)

Weekend Recap

Posted on October 28, 2013 by 4evamaria

Oh, hello! It looks like someone finally decided it was fall. It was so windy outside this Sunday, I ran in to Target to buy myself a hat and gloves. And yes, that’s the official story and I’m sticking with it! Now, I have a lovely little white beanie complete with a marabou poof keeping my head warm. This is clearly an essential.

Though I had no crazy, Halloween-themed parties to go to this year, I did have quite a few memorable things planned for the weekend:

Friday night featured a concert I had been looking forward to for quite some time. The one and only: “The Naked and Famous.” I had never been to the Fox in downtown Oakland, and the venue was 10 times more beautiful than I expected.

Fabulous view. Nosebleed seats and all.

I’d like to think that my 12 year-old self would have thought I was such the “cool kid.” Also had a wonderful time at Make Westing, both before and after the show.

My Saturday involved very fabulous girl time, afternoon tea, and a screening of Downton Abbey, Season 4. (Oh my goodness, such drama! The most dignified soap opera around.)

The menu included:

Scones, Blueberry Financiers,

Apple spice cakes with whiskey glaze

Flour-less chocolate cakes

Egg salad

& a variety of tea sandwiches .

Curried chicken, cucumber mint mascarpone, and smoked salmon.

And there was of course, tea. And wine. Which rendered my mother completely incapable of taking pictures, so no group photos for this bit, I’m afraid.

To top it all off, I got my Halloween wish by carving pumpkins with the lovely Rachel and the kiddos she watches.

The lovely Ella.

Not afraid of getting dirty, a firecracker, and great company. Her pumpkin had three eye, just FYI.

Edward. My lame, sandwich-eating (?) vampire pumpkin.

It’s an Avocado pumpkin!

(Avocado =the Wonderful company that Miss Rachel works for. It’s a free couples app- go download!)

We ended the evening with homemade noodle soup and caramel apple cookies. Very fall-festive.

Hope you all enjoyed your weekends as much as I did mine!

Love,

EVA