Favorite Things: Montara

A few generations ago, my family bought a house on the cliffs of Montara in California. When they first acquired it, it was just a single room and a fireplace. Now it's two bedrooms, a fantastic kitchen and a dining room as well as the Big room. Most of my family holidays have been spent here and more than a few of my favorite memories took place in that kitchen or on that deck. I've made friends there and grown up there. I solidified my love for my family and discovered some of my favorite foods there.  

Basically, I love it. 

We stayed there in May and I got to snap a few photos of the place, my cousins and the newest family member, my cousins baby boy. Here's some of my favorites...

Happy Belly: Bacon Pancakes

I've had a dream for a while.


That dream was to have bacon pancakes.

Well said, Jake the Dog.


Anywho, on my May trip to California, I got to live my dream thanks to my fabulous cousin, Em.

The How is pretty simple: 

Make bacon. We did it in the oven (my favorite way- clean up is super duper easy). 

Take sip of bellini. This step is VERY important. 

After that, Mix up pancake mix. We did bisquick because, well, it has yet to let us down.

Take another sip of bellini.

Then, you chop up the bacon, and sprinkle it on the pancakes. 

Flip. 

Serve. 

Cover in butter. 

Cover in Syrup. 

EAT and be ridiculously happy. 

Happy Belly: Wine Tasting

When I was back in California in May, I got to do one of my favorite things: drink wine. It was glorious; sunshine, rose, and some of the loveliest women I've had the pleasure to get breakfast wine with.

SO it's been a while....

Yeah. Sometimes you turn around and realize its been months since you've touched the internet outside of Facebook updates and the occasional Netflix binge. Lucky for you guys, I have a whole stack of photos and stories to share from the spring. So let it begin!!!

In May, I took a trip back to the Old Country (or, you know... San Francisco) with my cousins and some New York friends. It was amazing. Days of gorgeous drives, more than a few laughs, and our fair share of wine. 

I also got to use my new camera.

Here's a couple to wet your appetite.

My Favorite Things: Paris Sweater

I've been thinking about my favorite pieces in my closet and come to a very important conclusion.



Most, if not all, of my favorite garments are either impulse buys or gifts.

This sweater is no exception.

My cousin lived in Paris for about 6 months last year (I know) and I got to go visit her (I KNOW). On that trip, she lent me this luscious and insanely cozy sweater. Then she let me keep it. Now it's one of my staples, my favorite sweater.

 It goes with everything. It layers like a dream. And its warmer than some of my coats. I especially love to wear it with a vest over, like my leather vest. No matter what I wear with it, It always takes my outfit up a notch and polishes everything off, you know?

And it makes me think of Paris and my cousin.

What could be better?

It's Time!

I'm flying to Wisconsin today! After a harrowing getting to the airport experience (which was 100% my fault,) I made it to the airport. Now to make it on the plane...

For updates on my travels, check my instagram. Happy end of the month everyone!

Lookin' Good: Travel Kit

Traveling has been a huge part of my summer. As a result, I've gotten pretty good at piecing out the products and bits I need in my tool kit (or makeup bag- potato, potato). Let's take a peek:

 Let's start with the brushes. All I bring is my fluffy powder brush, a blush brush, eyeliner brush, and concealer brush. Basically, my blendyest brushes. Bringing your best tools really does add an element of comfort to traveling (if your'e me, that is). I also always bring tweezers for that errant eyebrow hair or that unforeseen splinter.


I find that keeping it clean on vacation is best; you never know how tan you'll get or how humid it really will be, so why risk bringing buckets of face products? At the end of the day, you're on vacation. So you win no matter what.

Face products are fairly straight forward: just the favorites. I bring my Chanel foundation, Chanel bronzer and Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick for all my facial needs.

face pretties- bronzer, foundation and shimmer brick

The foundation, Chanel's Vitalumiere Aqua Ultra-Light Skin Perfecting Makeup, is deliciously light and smells fantastic. you only need a drop or two for your entire face. Their Soleil Tan de Chanel Bronzing Powder is equally lovely. I have the lightest color,  Desert Coral, so I can use it all year around no matter how pale I get. It's finely milled, so it blends well with blushes or just into my cheeks for a glow. Blush-wise, I love my Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick in Nectar. Its the perfect parts color and shimmer, making me look awake and cheerful, not painted. I've been using my shimmer brick for six or seven years and it's always been the right choice.

eyeliners and eyeshadow

As for eye makeup, I've gotten this down to a science. I bring my two favorite eyeliners and one eyeshadow. Boom. My eyeliners are  both from the Sephora Collection. One is their Kohl Waterproof eyeliner, which is one of my all-time favorite eye pencils. It really lasts and has a creamy texture an deep, dark pigment which I love. When I wear black eyeliner, I want it to be super dark, inky black, not that sad graying black you sometimes see. My other favorite is their Smoky Cream Liner, which comes in a little pot. I use this brush from e.l.f to apply it. It goes on smooth as can be. I'm still practicing with the brush, and on good days I can get a fantastic, liquid-looking cat eye and go full-Joan Holloway.

The eyeshadow is a particularly victorious find. It's Bare Escentuals High Shine Eyecolor in Golden Sand, which comes in a little tube with a sponge applicator. I love it because it travels great with no spillage. Plus, it blends fantastically and can be made more dramatic with layering taking me from day to night in a swipe. So it becomes the best travel or commute option I've fount to date. Oh, and the color is really pretty!

Last, but far from least, perfume. I always bring a bottle. This time, Chanel No. 19 Poudre, which is fresh and fantastic and smells great with that coconut/ sunscreen smell of vacation.

So there you have it- I'm ready to go anywhere now!

chanel

California Is Really Pretty

No, seriously. Don't believe me? See for yourself...

Happy Belly: Umami Burger

My family has... a thing for burgers.

Well, more of a history really.

Once upon a time, when my father, Papa Cravens, was 8, he was determined to build the perfect burger. He spent a meal painstakingly stacking and layering and engineering each layer to ensure maximum taste and structural integrity. Without fail, each time the burger was built to specifications, he would pick up the beast and take a bite, only to be greeted with defeat. By defeat I mean all of the luscious ingredients squirted lamely out the back of the burger. This pattern continued for the bulk of the meal. 

Finally, in the Papa Cravi's rarely seen but oft dreaded rage, he took the burger in his hand and crushed it as Zeus crushed the Titans. 

This story has become legend in our family, known universally as The Hamburger Story.

Since The Hamburger Story, Papa Cravens has mastered the art of the burger. I, quite frankly, fancy myself his grasshopper. 

I swore revenge* on all burgers after hearing the legend.  

And I have vanquished every burger in my path. Usually with relish (pun). 

*By revenge I mean I eat burgers like it's my job.

Then I met the Umami Truffle Burger. 

This is the Siren of burgers. It needs no pickle, no ketchup, no onions, no garnish or embellishment of any kind beyond it's truffle cheese promised in the description. 

It seems meek and simple at first glance. Easy to overtake. Then you pick it up and see how... juicy it is. Your pace quickens. You hold the burger lightly, careful to keep the contents in the bun. The aroma is intoxicating.

Then you take the first bite.

And your mind goes blank.

But seriously, this burger is the very definition of Redoncuous. 

Oh, and there are also truffle cheese fries.

I'm just sayin. 

Dress is More: Teal Maxi

This is one of my favorite impulse buys. I found it at Forever 21 while in line to check out. I didn't think I was much of a maxi dress person at the time, but there was something about this one. Now it's one of my go-to dresses; it was even my graduation dress. So I guess it goes to show that going with your gut is usually right (when it comes to clothes, at least.) I wore it on the plane ride home with a little gray cardi and my Frye harness boots. Needless to say, I looked awesome.
Or at least I think I did.

Bye, New York!

It's been quite a ride. 

I'll catch you on the flip side...

Wish List: Airplane Essentials

You know how celebrities always have that magical product they love that makes all those long flights better? Well here's my wish list for if I was much fancier when I fly...

origins no puffery; rosebud salve; l'occitane cuticle cream; masque*ology brightening mask; mural oil-control mattifier; hello kitty bag

jcrew cashmere hoodie; jcrew minnie twill pants; hermes scarf; kate spade bon shopper; ipad

I would also like it if Stephen Fry would follow me around in his Jeeves costume and bring me martinis. And be my best friend.

very good, miss... 

Just the best friend part would work too.


(hint hint).