Random Beautiful Thoughts

Me in my back yard yesterday....record heat + no rain =  crispy grass

Music: Lana del Rey is on my playlist lately. Ever since my daughter did the Born To Die Lana Del Rey mani last year, we've been loving Lana over here. This song, Summer Sadness, works for me right now especially. As August looms ahead, cosmetic companies are starting to put out Fall 2012 collections. I can smell the change in the air, especially at night. And I can see the difference in the light and sun during the day.....summertime sadness, indeed.

TV Marathon: I decided since I haven't started my new book yet (Gone Girl) I'd share my new series obsesh. PBS Sherlock! There is something so exciting about a marathon showing of something so fabulous. It happened already with Downton Abbey - and that was wonderful. I bought the first season of Sherlock, watched the first episode and am hooked. I was on the edge of my seat til the end, love the twists and the complex damaged characters. Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman are just terrific.

Sherlock and Watson....

Food: It has been soooo hot this summer (yay!) that cool fresh snack types of food have been on my menu. BBQ of course, delicious sushi and guacamole. I adore guac so much, those creamy avocados are so delicious, and also great for your skin and brain. Good fat! However most corn chips are very salty and caloric so you are almost eating chips and dip (as good as that is....). So my awesome girlfriend turned me on to Sea Salt ChipIns, basically chips made out of popcorn. They are delicious, and its just like eating popcorn without getting anything stuck in your teeth. And, they are gluten free, if that is important to you. And combined with guac? So. Yummy.

                                                                         

Fashion: Maxi dresses, bikinis and flowy silky shorts with platforms. But, mostly maxi dresses, my favourites being the spaghetti strap tanks in stripes and solids from American Apparel. I have a few and plan on getting another one because I love them sooo much. It's basically like walking around in a nightie. Win.

Skincare: Body oils! Summertime is the time to show dewy toned skin and I am addicted to delicious skin oils that sink in, leaving delicately scented and soft skin behind. Bonus- you can use them in your hair as well. This month, it's been Lierac Huile Sensorielle 3 Fleurs. Wow. Smells like sweet jasmine petals.

Make Up: St Tropez Self Tanning Mousse. The ONLY self tanner to own. A teeny weeny blob of this mousse on my face makes me "look" like I've spent the day in the sun. Exfoliate and then moisturize your body, and add a little bit of mousse after the moisturizer has sunk in, and you are just back from beach. Safely. Tips for after application: wash your hands, use a damp cloth to wipe off your eyebrows (important!), upper lip, hair line, knees and elbows. You're welcome.

Perfume: This has been the summer of jasmine and orange blossom for me. My latest delicate fave is Le Labo Jasmine 17, in the "balm" formulation. Le Labo is a cool line of perfumes that are like a store within a store, and the sales associate actually custom pours your bottle for you, also giving your bottle a personalized label. Cool. The "17" at the end of the name means that while jasmine is the predominant note in this perfume, there are 17 other notes complimenting it. This is most likely advertising mumbo-jumbo, and Le Labo Jasmine 17 smells more like orange blossom and neroli than jasmine to me. But it smells amazing, delicate and gorgeous, and the curious gel-like balm formula is like a concentrate that wears very close to the skin. Perfect.

What are you loving this summer? Books? Movie? TV? Spill!