Lush Haul

Posted on November 14, 2014 by 4evamaria

Hello everyone!

Happy Friday! We finally made it! To celebrate, I’m taking a bath and going to bed nice and early. Never thought you would hear that from me now, would you?

I’ve been slightly out of sorts lately. I don’t what it is, but I suddenly felt my muscles seize up on Thursday and couldn’t figure out what was wrong. I tried ibuprofen, Excedrin, and countless cups of coffee. Laying on a heating pad provided me with some temporary relief, as did topical rubs. I finally threw in the towel and went to a chiropractor. She was wonderful and her treatments made me feel loads better. But, you know what she recommended?

Baths.

I knew it! I’m totally justified in saying that baths are one of the best things ever; which is why I take them very seriously, and indulge in the occasional trip to Lush Cosmetics. Lush is one of my very favorite places to get my hair care, skin care, and pamper-products. I absolutely adore Lush products, and, lucky for me, they frequently release new and exciting things around the holidays. During my latest Lush run, I picked up three of their limited-edition holiday bath bombs: Cinders, a spicy cinnamon bomb; Luxury Lush Pud, a cozy lavender-scented explosion of color; and Sparkler, a rose jam scented crackling stick-bomb-thing. I also grabbed one of my favorite soaps, Snow cake. It smells just like an almond cookie, but not in a sickly sweet way, just subtle and comforting. You can even see how they make it in the Lush video below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pTcpwKIbCjQ

It’s quite a modest “haul,” embarrassingly enough for me. Lush is set up just like a candy store, with all of its products unwrapped and on display in heaps, so it’s hard for me not to go too overboard. Even though I only purchased a few products, they quickly filled my home with the most amazing scent. I can’t wait to use them.

Have a good weekend! I’ll be in the tub. And back at Lush tomorrow.

EVA♥

Treat Yo’ Self

Posted on November 7, 2014 by 4evamaria

Hello everyone!

Today, I wanted to dedicate a blog post to a little phrase I’ve been finding myself saying quite often lately:

Treat Yo’ Self!

Now, I’m not nearly the first person to say this. For those of you that need a little context, here’s a video:

Mimosas! Perfume! Fine leather goods! Treat. Yo. Self.

In case you haven’t already noticed, I’m a big fan of treating myself. Now, it doesn’t have to be ridiculously excessive everytime. Ok, maybe you really wanted that Alexander Wang bag that one time- I won’t judge you. However, treating yourself in this context can get you into some major credit card debt really quick. Then, this ceases to be a “treat.”

In case you are in need of a little “treat inspiration,” here are some of my latest little treats: Halloween candy (obviously), the beautiful Zoya Monet topcoat, and a new pair of fabulous Baublebar earrings. They were on sale, and are now unfortunately unavailable. I’m wholeheartedly jumping on the 360 stud earring bandwagon, in case you haven’t already noticed.

So, if you ever find yourself feeling down-in-the-dumps, I’m a very big advocate of a little treat. It might not seem like a very big deal to everyone else; it could be a cappuccino, a pair of extra fuzzy socks, or a new lipstick, but don’t underestimate the positive influence of lovely little things that pop into your life. Of course, the most important part of this is your willingness to turn things around. Things may not always go your way, there might be giant hiccups in your day, but that doesn’t mean you have to give up. Treat yourself, and choose to be positive.

Just a thought.

EVA♥

I’m a Professional

Posted on October 17, 2014 by 4evamaria

Hello everyone!

Happy Friday! Blogtober is going in full force, and I almost feel as if my day isn’t complete if I haven’t visited Watch Me Juggle at least once.

I wouldn’t say I’m an expert, by any means, but if there was a job with any of these traits in the job description, I would be hired in a millisecond…

I’m really good at tripping going both up and down stairs. On a similar note, I’m really good at high heels. Ok, I’m decent enough at walking in them, but I can always find the most amazing bargain when it comes to shoe shopping. I found the above Pour La Victoire shoes for $11.50. That’s right. $11.50. Brand new. I win.

I can make a mean at-home latte. I’m also a professional coffee drinker, if that were a real job.

The boss lady says that while I may look pretty, it certainly doesn’t stop me from being a complete and utter goof ball; usually to get a laugh or a smile out of even the most stoic people. It makes me happy.

I’m like a chipmunk with a cheeseburger. You’ll wonder where I put it all, it disappears so fast.

Google-stalking people. I can do it.

As the infamous Jenna Marbles says: “Goo hoarding.” I excel at keeping bottles, all just shy of empty, all over my bathroom. If you need enough volumizing shampoo for a hamster, chances are I have it somewhere.

I can kill hours in thrift stores. I’m a professional Thrift Store Wanderer. I usually come out with some amazing treasures, too.

I have a knack for finding the best parking spot…approximately two seconds after someone else does.

I’m also a professional at:

Wearing Lululemon
Awkward somersaults
Drawing directly on my eyeball with eyeliner
Leaving my dishes in the sink forever
Staying up way past my bedtime
Making funny noises
Petting cats for hours
Making mimosas
Dancing

Add these to my resume.

EVA♥

Five Things

Posted on September 3, 2014 by 4evamaria

Hello everyone!

The Wednesday after a long weekend always sneaks up on you. I found myself making plans for Wednesday yesterday, not realizing it was a day away! Vacations are so hard, everyone. So, whilst trying to adopt a sense of normalcy before my first week back at work kicks off, here’s this week’s Five Things!

I’m so excited to have made my first purchase from Bauble Bar! I’m trying to actively avoid looking at their website, because I’m fairly certain that I might end up buying more fun, unnecessary accessories. I loved that when I opened my package, it seemed almost as excited as I was. Yay!

A little snippet from @WatchMeJuggle Instagram- Some salty dogs, and one of my best dog-friends, Theo at the monthly Treasure Island Flea Market. They had a buy-one-get-one happy hour…starting at 10am. Possibly not the best idea…

I can’t believe I never knew about this amazing view from Treasure Island. This weekend was so amazingly beautiful. I wish I had an excuse to go out there every week.

In other news, I discovered a local coffee company from Oakland making what they dub “Black Medicine.” This was the most delicious pre-made latte I have ever had in my life. They apparently sell them by the case, which was horribly tempting! Also, please notice my new Bowzer bracelet from Marrin Costello on my wrist. You will see him again.

It wouldn’t be ‘Five Things’ without one random addition. I found this questionable candy bar at Walgreen’s in the financial district. I couldn’t figure out as to whether or not it was cake covered in chocolate, or a candy bar meant to resemble cake. It was strange either way. My coworker encouraged me to squish it just to find out. I did, and it didn’t lead me to any strong conclusions.

EVA♥

Five Things

Posted on August 27, 2014 by 4evamaria

Hi everyone!

I somehow went into complete zombie mode yesterday, and I ended up abandoning my blog-post-in-progress about halfway through, which is something I rarely do. It was there to greet me this morning, however, and instill the appropriate amount of shame in me to get me rolling. And, here I am! It’s this week’s Five Things- a little photo-collage glimpse into my life over the last week.

I tend not to wear any ostentatious or noticeable colors on my nails when my classes are in session. I like to look appropriate and well-groomed, and, let’s face it, bright blue nail polish somehow screams “I’m a teenager!” to parents of prospective students. Solution: I wear the heck out of them in summertime. Pictured above are two of my favorites from Essie: Bikini So Teeny and Mint Candy Apple, which I have on my nails now.

I finally jumped on the fashion-blogger bandwagon and bought myself some skater shoes. These were such a steal, and I’ve gotten so many compliments already. Bonus points for the leopard print, they make me feel instantly chic even when I’m wearing sneakers and cutoffs to go grocery shopping.

My mother gifted me a refill of one of my favorite perfumes from Philosophy recently. I after finally cracking it open, I realized it was the exact same color as my bathroom walls. Coincidence? I think not.

I received a very cool, belated birthday card in the mail a while back from a good friend of mine. It took me about a week to finally realize that it wasn’t just awkwardly thick, but was in fact designed so that I could mount it on a wall like a piece of artwork. A very clever idea!

Here’s a little sneak preview of tomorrow’s blog. I may not be the biggest fan of sports, but I do enjoy the atmosphere of live sporting events. Sure, I use the majority of my time there to eat all of the junk food available to me and to gossip with my girlfriends in between doing the wave/the Bernie lean, but isn’t that what you’re supposed to do? I’m well aware that I”m a living female stereotype.

Don’t judge me.

EVA ♥

Five Things

Posted on August 20, 2014 by 4evamaria

Hello everyone!

I must admit, today’s Five Things is probably being published at a record-breaking late hour. Though I don’t feel as if I’ve done anything extraordinary today, I do feel like I’ve managed to cram a whole hell of a lot of things in one day. Taking in the morning news, dropping off the dry cleaning, commuting to work, catching a quick happy hour cocktail, and dashing back across the bridge home. Of course, The less glamorous part of the day involved me eating a very large burrito bowl in record time while in my pajamas in bed, but who doesn’t do that every once-in-a-while? We all deserve the occasional break from socially acceptable behavior.

Speaking of breaks in socially acceptable behavior, I spent a weekend afternoon at my parents house in this outfit:

It’s a traditional dirndl dress straight from Austria. I agreed to model it for my mother, who was convinced it would fit me better than her. The charm of this dress is most certainly in the details- the sweetheart neckline is complimented by actual hearts in the lace trim of the sleeves, and there are festive little green reindeer printed on the apron accompanying the skirt. I could think of a few occasions in which this dress would be a hit, namely the annual Sound of Music Sing-Along at the Castro Theater in San Francisco.

This would be an avatar of the mastermind behind Watch Me Juggle. My friend Rachel created it and sent it to me last week, during a slow afternoon at work. There’s, of course, an app for that! I appreciate all the lovely details; the knobby little ballerina bun and almond-shaped eyes are an adorable touch.

If I came with directions…

I recently discovered the online shop Thug Life. Ever since acquiring my infamous “Ain’t No Wifey” shirt from Dimepiece LA, I’ve developed an affinity for witty shirts like this one.

Like many aspiring adults I know, I have a soft spot for the occasional cold glass of beer. However, when the contents of said glass turn tepid and flat, it becomes decidedly less delightful. Enter the “pony beer-” slightly smaller than your average 12 oz. beverage, it’s the perfect size. It always stays cold, and is just enough to refresh you without that pesky full feeling.

Meet my favorite new breakfast. I’ve been loving slices of large white peaches straight from the market, especially while they’re still firm. They’re crisp and delicious, and pair amazingly with a warm cup of coffee. They’ve brought a glimpse of summer to even the foggiest of mornings here in the Bay Area. And, boy, have there been some foggy mornings…

There you have it, post #150 on Watch Me Juggle. How time has flown!

Have a wonderful rest of your week, everyone!

EVA♥

The Loot

Posted on August 7, 2014 by 4evamaria

Hello everyone!

Life has been crazy, as usual. Today I write to you after a late night commute, culminating in a breakfast-for-dinner concoction that I’m very proud of. I cannot praise frozen vegetables enough; if you have them in your freezer, along with some eggs, you’ll always have a filling, ready-to-go meal. In case you haven’t noticed, many of my blogs are introduced by an assortment of random facts, or a summation of my current state, which is also always random. Many of you may have noticed that I celebrated my birthday this last Tuesday, and, continuing with the “Forever Young” theme, I plan on celebrating this entire week. Here’s a little glimpse of some of the related festivities thus far.

…

It’s been a longtime tradition for beauty and fashion bloggers to include “hauls” in their repertoire. I guess you couldn’t necessarily classify some good, old-fashioned birthday shopping as a “haul,” so I deem this the birthday “loot.”

The Fit ‘n Flare dress is from Banana Republic- here. They had a fantastic sale last weekend and it was too lovely to pass up. I was gifted some DV by Dolce Vita shoes, which were also a great find. They paired wonderfully with my favorite black leather jacket. Yes, this was my birthday outfit, and I felt very chic in it. Unfortunately, I was in too much of hurry to take the requisite selfies of myself that day.

The Clubmaster-style sunglasses and my favorite leopard scarf are not new, but I couldn’t help but include them in my photo. I was visually brainstorming outfits, and these staples couldn’t not be included. They are from Madewell and H&M, respectively. While wandering through Nordstrom, my mother and I perused the MAC counter, and I found my favorite new lipstick: Peach Blossom; as well as a fabulous mineralize eyeshadow duo in Spiced Metal. I’ve been wearing these almost nonstop since she treated me to them. Thanks mom! Additional newer items pictured are a refill of one of my favorite perfumes, Unconditional Love by Philosophy, in addition to a little something in a special blue box. The contents of which are pictured below:

Every woman should have exquisite and simple pieces that she can wear everyday, and that will live on her nightstand every night. Seeing as I survived my “scary age” birthday, I certainly have something to show for it. This little necklace is something I’ve wanted for a really long time. I’ve gotten so many compliments, and I’m hardly willing to take it off at the end of the day.

I hope, like me, the voyeur in you enjoyed my first ever “loot” post. Perhaps one day soon I’ll have another!

EVA♥

Five Things

Posted on July 23, 2014 by 4evamaria

Hello all,

Get ready for the most random barrage of imagery you’ve ever seen! I realized today that my weekly Five Things has intermittently become a dumping ground for the photos I have sitting on my laptop, waiting to be used, but completely without context. It’s not a bad thing necessarily- unless it’s driving you nuts, dear readers. Those of you who know me outside of my blog, know that I like to talk about whatever pops into my head during any available moment of silence. I realize that this results in the most disjointed conversation ever, so much so that I like to preface some of my statements by explaining how I got there. This isn’t at all strange, I’m sure of it.

Unfortunately, I can’t really preface this week’s things with any kind of explanation, other than the fact that they’re a conglomeration of things I’ve come across in my immediate, everyday life that have stood out to me. Now, I realize that many bloggers out there have similar routine lists on their blog; it’s reassuring for me to recall how much I enjoy reading those, and hope you find my posts equally amusing/intriguing/entertaining, or whatever adjective floats your boat!

First off is a shot of the LA sky through the vine and fairy light covered gazebo that housed my friend’s birthday party for the majority of the day on Saturday. Downtown Los Angeles isn’t particularly green, so this was such the refreshing touch to an otherwise concrete patio.

Photo c/o Shopbop. Click on the link below to check it out!

I would like you to meet my new boyfriend: Mini MAC. Rebecca Minkoff states that M.A.C really stands for “Morning After Clutch,” but I enjoy taking this guy out all day. Having been on my wish list for ages, this purse was such an excellent find at the Nordstrom sale the other day I couldn’t pass it up! More than 50% off, mind you. I thought there had been a mistake, that’s how good of a deal I got. It’s my new favorite.

In a little nod to the ever-popular Instagram trend of #ThrowbackThursday, I wanted to post a picture taken what seems like ages ago. This was at a birthday party in San Francisco, and is one of my favorites of our little crew. I’m in a Rachel Sandwich!

So, I was admittedly tooling around Instagram at work the other day and came across this cocktail special at the W Hotel. It’s some sort of birthday concoction that they began serving this last week, for a limited time. I believe it contains vodka, Chambord, and Canton ginger liqueur. Oh, and whipped cream and sprinkles, of course! Though it’s not really my birthday yet, I’m tempted to stop by and ask them for this thing. It’s like the cocktail equivalent of a cupcake!

And, possibly the most random thing of all….

The Enneagram Test

Last weekend’s birthday girl (who also happens to be studying for her PH.D in clinical psychology) introduced us to the above test. It’s supposed to be accurately indicative of all aspects of your personality- how you handle stress, how you see the world, etc. It’s quite an in depth test, but I’m itching to take it and to see how I feel about the results. I know it’s an oddly cerebral thing to include on here, but let me know what you think! It’s certainly got me thinking.

Happy Wednesday!

EVA♥

Vintage Gems

Posted on July 15, 2014 by 4evamaria

Hello everyone.

So, it’s no news to anyone here that I enjoy vintage clothing. I have a number of fantastic vintage pieces, some of which you have seen here. There’s just something amazing about finding pieces that are so beautiful, and in beautiful condition. It’s absolutely like finding a gem from years past, and what’s even better, is that they generally sell for next to nothing. I’m the proud owner of a silk Oleg Cassini gown that was purchased for $10, which I wore to a San Francisco Ballet Gala years past. No matter what the occasion, you’re guaranteed to be the only one in your outfit. While I haven’t necessarily found many of my personal pieces here, Juniper Tree Vintage in Alameda is one of my favorite stores to browse through. If you ever want to recapture that childhood awe felt when going through your mother’s clothes, this is the place for you.

I walked in, saw this beauty, and made a beeline for the dressing room. Sadly, true to vintage style, I could only get the zipper halfway up. Sizes have changed a lot since 1950, so don’t take it personally ladies!

(Look closely for my ghost-self mirrored in the display case.)

These rhinestone pieces have been my favorites since I was young- “Princess jewelry,” I would call it. My mother had a vintage piece in this style and I would frequently put it on my head and pretend it was a crown.

I miraculously found this 1960’s dress on the half-off rack. It was in almost perfect condition, except for the fact that they zipper was non-functional. And, the fact that I could only get the dress just past my knees. If it weren’t for these two minute details, I would have taken it home with me. Such a shame!

I definitely have a passion for vintage fashion. I think it goes hand in hand with my deep admiration for Audrey Hepburn, and the fact that I sometimes wish we still dressed up as much as past decades. As long as I can mix my Americana love of denim, with full skirts and beautiful jewelry, I’m a happy girl.

EVA♥

The Best Saturdays

Posted on July 1, 2014 by 4evamaria

Hello everyone!

I had my first work-free Saturday morning this last weekend. If you can call dancing with two dozen four-year-olds work. (Yes. Yes you can.) I spent the morning with two of my girlfriends having brunch at the ferry building in San Francisco. To make things even better, each Saturday features a winding farmer’s market. You’ll find your typical, locally grown produce and flowers, but also San Francisco favorites like Blue Bottle Coffee and artisan pastries from Craftsman & Wolves.

After a latte, a filling breakfast at Market Bar, and some healthy people watching,we braved the crowds inside the ferry building to Boulette Larder’s stand. Despite the fact that I’ve been here dozens of times, I never once sampled their infamous beignets. Covered in cinnamon, sugar, and Valrhona chocolate, they were warm little puffs of sweet air. These isn’t your traditional deep-fried rectangle covered by an inch of powdered sugar, oh no! They were entirely unique and entirely delicious. I can’t wait for next weekend so I can go back for more.