Bright and Beautiful

It started when I asked my hairdresser to color my hair "ombre." Actually, I just wanted it to look like this, like grown out highlights. After having had very dark hair for the past 4 years, even a little lightness seemed like a big change. But now I've been wanting to change everything up, including my beauty routine (which is ridiculously minimal). I've all but abandoned using things like toner or multiple forms of moisturizer, but I also stopped really doing much make-up wise besides a red lip here and there. So I've been searching through the new Refinery 29 spring make-up guides and Into the Gloss (my newest favorite blog) for some ideas. I haven't made any new purchases yet, but here's what I like. Playing with a bit more eyeliner by lining the whole eye and experimenting with color or alternatively (because both at once could be deadly) peachy cheeks and lips.
And I may just be stealing these ladies' skin care tricks, because I'm loving the fresh faces they've got here. (all bottom photos via Into the Gloss)

What's your best beauty secret?

Favorite Bangs (yes, I'm talking about hair)

I've had bangs for almost 4 years now. I gave up on them one summer and let me tell you the sight of my forehead for a few weeks was enough to send me right back to my hair dresser to chop off those wisps. I know I look better with bangs, but the question is, now that the wedding is over and I can do anything I like with my hair, what kind of bangs do I want? I love love love the style of Anna Karina. Maybe I should adopt some ultra short bangs? The problem is that while this looks cute with a bob, I'm not so sure how it would look with my longer hair. Also, I always fear I'm going to look more Bettie Page than Anna Karina.

Zooey Deschenel's bangs change frequently, but I'm a huge fan of how they look here. Not quite totally even, a little messed up, great for curly or straight hair.

Okay, I swoon for this hair, I seriously do. But I worry that I'd miss cute little short bangs if I had mine this long.

I would love to have platinum blond hair, but alas it's just not going to happen for me. That said, I die for Erin Fetherston's hair. So chic and cool looking.

What do you think? Whose hair inspires you?

Images via Anastasiac, random, Rockstar Diaries, vanessa jackman

Estadio, andale andale

For PB's birthday we went to a newish Spanish tapas restaurant called Estadio that was soooo good, I had to share some pictures. We started with 2 very delicious cocktails. I ordered a drink with tequila, cava, grapegruit and rosemary (very artfully floating) called a tecolate. The orange drink below is called a slushie and this one had quince, paprika, lemon, sherry and scotch in it. It was one of those drinks where you experience each flavor one after the other.

Then we had a bunch of little pintxos. The chorizo, manchego, pistachio and quince paste skewers were definitely our favorite. We were also super big fans of their octopus with a potato caper salad. Is there anything a caper cannot do? Have you ever had the super huge capers that are in pods? So good. But, for the record, my favorite octopus of all time is at Liberty Tavern.
But the real super star of the meal is the hanger steak with cherry tomatoes, pesto, and fried carrots . I can not emphasize enough how wonderful it was. Blair even literally said " this is the best steak I've ever had," and believe me, he's had a few. I will also say that they play the best restaurant music ever: talking heads, joy division, new order, the cure.

1520 14th Street NW (Logan Circle) http://www.estadio-dc.com/

the art of the bee hive

I don't know about you, but I like the whole return of the beehive. There are only so many things you can do with hair that needs another shower and this seems to be a good one. So I was so excited (when am I not) when this DiY guide appeared in the NY times the other day. Totally going to experiment with this for the rehearsal dinner.
photos from Fall 2010 Vera Wang

Look: At this wedding hairstyle

I think doing a full behive might be a bit much for your wedding, but this seems like a happy medium: trendy but still classic.

via Forget Me Knot Weddings, photography by Ashley Rose

My Favorite Hour

I am easily exciteable. A good radio program, new shoes, a piece of chocolate can all change the course of my mood throughout the day . But among the things I love the most are food, friends, travel and dreamy photography. Which may be why I am so drawn to Brian Ferry's work on The Blue Hour. If you could just throw in a little grizzly bear in the background and actually place me in the photographs (with PB of course) I'd be in heaven. There are lots of pictures of things besides food and friends, but I just love how these pictures make me feel like I've just drank a glass of good wine and am biting into some delicious appetizers and laughing with friends.

Swoon

via Jak & Jill

Platinum

I know I would look awful with platinum blond hair, but it just looks so awesome on these ladies can you blame me for wanting it? There's something so angelic about it, but at the same time very bombshell and edgy.

Kate Bosworth, Sandra from Niotillfem, Kate Lamphear from the Sartorialist, from Roberto Cavalli via style.com, Kirstin Dunst, Erin Fetherston of RCVA via Vanessa Jackman, Carrie Mulligan via What is Reality Anyway, via Mr. Newton