What I'll Be Wearing This Spring

I've always been a huge fan of Madewell. 
The looks they produce are the perfect combination  of tomboyishness with slight feminine flair and prep with loads of edge.
If I could pick one store that's "look" aligns most perfectly with my daily casual style it would be Madewell... with a severely large dose of Topshop... and a good amount Brandy Melville... with some Rag & Bone and Joie thrown in there too.
But, right now, it's Madewell that's got my eye  (my "wandering eye"... buddum chhhhh.......sorry)  and the honor of revitalizing my already copious wardrobe. 
Their spring catalog came in the mail,  I fell in love with almost everything in it, and, luckily, it was my birthday so I had an excuse to splurge on nearly the entire spring collection.
Please. Feast your eyes on the items that have  gotten me even more excited and anxious for the warm weather to come...  and it doesn't hurt that they are modeled by the fabulous Erin Wasson. (all photos taken from www.madewell.com)

embroidered openview tunic

(sensibly bohemian)

cutoff tee & denim boyshorts in rip and repair...

(perfect "borrowed from your boyfriend...or brother" look)

draft tank & gildseed necklace & knotshine necklace ..

(I'm obsessed with the simplicity of this tank with the abundance of layered gold necklaces)

linen ny stencil muscle tee

(I totally do not need another graphic tank but how could I not? and this one 's so flattering)

eyelet hideaway dress

(it's quite long and feminine while still giving off a slight edgy feel..especially with the boots)

 skinny skinny jeans in sunfade & gildpath bracelet

 the denim boyshorts in rip and repair & draft tank

afternoon dress in saltwater stripe

(great for job interviews and super flattering for petite frames)

the d'orsay flat in leather... 

(super comfy and sensible yet very on trend)

Fingers crossed for some sunshine so I can show  my new clothes how much I love them.
xx.

I Don't Know About You, but I'm NOT Feeling 22...and I Think That's OK.

Today is my 22nd birthday.
I was supposed to be spending it with friends  (and nearly half of the Fordham University Class of 2014) on spring break at an all-inclusive resort in Punta Cana. However, due to my recent spat with both mono and strep, I have made the mature decision (humbly bragging) to stay home and give my body the rest and  recuperation it needs so that I can finish my last semester of college in good health and  on a good note (GPA-wise). 
While I am confident in my decision to do so, I am trying desperately to ignore the FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out..for those who don't know) that often occurs when I opt out of just about any event.
Regardless, this week at home has left me with  a lot of silence, and a lot of time to think  and analyze...  and analyze some more, as I tend to do.  (Lord help me. It's only Tuesday.)
What I have come up with thus far is this: I am 22 years old, I don't know how that is possible (try your best not to roll your eyes at me all you 25+ folks..I know that's still young),  and I'm scared.
What I have realized, further, is that I don't think I am afraid of the number, necessarily, or the aging, for that matter, but,  rather, everything that the year of 22 symbolizes for someone in my position.
It means no more college. It means seeking employment. It means trying desperately to figure out exactly what it is I want to do and be. It means very possible disappointment.  Scariest of all, it means change.
Of that, I am certain.
I think this would all be less scary if I knew what, exactly, this change was going to be. But I have absolutely no clue. 6 months from now - I don't know where I'll be, who I'll be with, what I'll be doing. Or...I hate to go there but it must be said...if I'll be back to living at home for a while as many young graduates seem to be forced to do these days.
However, despite all these unanswered questions, I am quite sure of one thing - everything I'm feeling is completely normal and ok. Not only this, but when all is said and done, I will be absolutely FINE - better than fine. My job is simply to have faith in my strengths,  work as hard as I can to make others have faith in them too  and let the pieces fall where they may. Life always finds a way of sorting itself out -    this must be repeated to oneself over and over again.
I also know this - the times in my life that I have thrived the most,  been happiest and grown in the most positive ways have the been the periods when I was going through the most change and was the furthest out of my comfort zone.
I have learned, in my 22 (just barely) years, that  the power of positive thought and energy cannot be undervalued. So, I am going to try to  ignore not just the FOMO but, also, the fear of the unknown this week... and every week of my 22nd year in this crazy, wonderful life.

I Found It...The Perfect Facial Moisturizer

For as long as I can remember I have had 

THE definition of combination skin. 

It gets shiny within an hour of 

cleansing and even when it is moisturized

it manages to have areas that are 

dry as a desert.

So, up until about 2 years ago I would usually just

skip moisturizing in my daily skincare regimen

in the hope of avoiding some of the shine and just

dealt with the extreme dryness that resulted.

Finally, after being told by countless magazine articles,

a dozen facialists

and several dermatologists 

that moisturizer is truly the cure 

to both overproduction of oil on the face and excessive dryness,

I decided to start my search for the perfect moisturizer that 

actually did all it promised.

About 6 months ago, I finally found it. 

Darphin Hydraskin Light is a gel-cream so it is slightly thicker 

than most moisturizers but, somehow, feels lighter on the skin than any cream

I have used in the past. It hydrates the skin perfectly and 

really does reduce shine. 

My skin is finally so healthy and hydrated that

it no longer overproduces oil and there is not a dry spot 

to be seen.

Now, all that said, Darphin, notoriously, does not come cheap.

At $62 a bottle it is definitely an investment. 

However, it is an investment I would say is 

completely worth it. If it is a luxury you can afford in any way, 

you should do your skin this favor and allow it to be

as beautiful as it has the potential to be.

If you are at a point in life where you cannot

splurge on facial moisturizer, I used 

Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisture - Combination Skin ($9.99)

for a while before finding Darphin Hydraskin Light 

and found it to be pretty good too. 

I moisturize my face with Darphin

 after cleansing both in the 

morning and before bed. I could not be happier

with the way my skin looks and feels.

Get ready to glow!