Less than 2 weeks until SXSW 2012...

SXSW is always full of excellent artists either on their way up or veterans testing out new music. It is also a marathon of rushing from venue to venue desperately trying to see all the bands that you marked in program guide as must-sees. By the end of the week, I usually look like death just ran over me.

Some of the new bands to me that I am hoping to catch are:
Alabama Shakes
Retro-Soul- Can you dig it?

Apparat
Dreamy music to get lost in.

Bear in Heaven
Indie pop to groove to.

Some that are not so new to me but so excited to see:
Juanes
Great Spanish pop but admittedly a lam video.

Fiona Apple
Beautiful songwriter with intense feelings.

Drums
Indie pop with serious Smiths influence. Love them.

In the next two weeks, I will probably be posting more as my excitement increases every day.

Hemingway's A Moveable Feast

 "If you are lucky enough to have lived in Paris as a young man, then wherever you go for the rest of your life, it stays with you, for Paris is a moveable feast."

I used to love this book. It's the complete romantic vision of writers in the 1920's living in Paris. Although Hemingway was a bit harsh in his judgment of his contemporaries. Bottom line, I loved his honesty or his version of it. I went through whole Hemingway stage in high school, not so much anymore but this book still remains as one of my Hemingway favorites actually only likeable book. I haven't read it in a while but I think it's about that time again.

This has probably been triggered by my recently seeing "Midnight in Paris" on dvd. Although, not my favorite Woody Allen film but I still enjoyed it. My heart still belongs to "Annie Hall." Owen Wilson's character felt very familiar and had a bit of Woody Allen impression to it but he was amusing. Marion Cotillard was pretty wonderful though, but she always is. I guess even Woody Allen has the whole writer in Paris fleeting fantasy.

Lancome Visionnaire- Pretty Fantastic. Alternative to Cosmetic Procedure? Hmmm.

I will admit, I don't have a lot of wrinkles at this point in my life (knock on wood, pound on wood more like). However, I am starting to notice my skin is a little more dull and prone to marks that look like freckles. There are also these strange faint hints of laugh lines after I have stopped smiling. Well, what are you going to do after you pass 30? Rage against the war of aging with all you have, that's what.

Lancome boasts, "Our 1st advanced skin corrector. Wrinkles, pores and evenness." That's a bold statement so I decided to give it a try. I immediately noticed my pores were indeed smaller and tighter after the first application. Over the last 3 weeks, I have also noticed that my detestable laugh lines are a bit more faint and smoother. My spots? Well actually I think I noticed more of a difference when I was using Caudale's Vinoperfect Serum.

However, considering the little time that I have been using Visionnaire it has been pretty impressive thus far. Perhaps with a little more time Visionnaire can deliver on it's promise of evening out my skin tone.



Be warned this product is impressive with an equally impressive if not a big daunting in it's price- $84.  But you know, it's still cheaper than a chemical peal so maybe try this first.

I need to find a cheap plan ticket ASAP, thanks Elizabeth Eaves

So as I was reading "Wanderlust," I was raving on and on about it on my Twitter and Facebook page. I really admire Elisabeth Eaves fearlessness in her approach to traveling and taking on new adventures, new relationships and her openness to the reader about all of feelings along the way. She never at any point tries to rationalize her actions, she just seems to try to understand them. There were many times as I was reading her lifelong pursuit of the more obscure adventure or those guys that you should probably avoid, when I thought "Why would you do that?" But at the same time, more often than not I would reconsider and think, "Oh wait I have done something ridiculous and nonsensical like that before." You may not agree with all of her choices but you also have to recognize that she has a fascinating book full of stories to tell as a result.

As a result, I have been debating over a trip to Europe or South America next year at a reasonable price and non-scary accommodations. I appreciate Elizabeth Eaves fearlessness but I have to be real- I can't "rough" it like she can.

5 Favorite Products So Far For Summer

So I realized on my profile that I profess to love skincare and makeup products but have yet to discuss any- oops. Hrmmm.

Well summers in Texas are a challenge, that is if you don’t want to look like a sloppy, sweaty mess for half the year (summers in Texas are also intolerably long). So in an effort to look presentable, one has to seek products that actually deliver on their promises. Or if you are like me, you just get bored and have an unhealthy desire to shop.

1. Tarte ‘s Lipsurgence Natural Lip Luster is a bath of moisture on my parched lips and offers just enough color and glisten to brighten my face. Although, be prepared to reapply every couple hours, it’s a great product but it’s not perfect. I personally chose the color “Frisky,” it’s nice and bright and well distracts from my tired eyes.

2. Summers mean sandals with painted toenails, right? But who can afford weekly manicures and pedicures? Not me. So I was very happy to find Milani’s Specialty Nail Treatment Smoothe Base Coat and Glosse Top Coat. Although, I will be honest it isn’t exactly up to par to a professional mani/pedi, it is worth the investment for those weeks you are a little short on money.

3. Everyone needs moisture but no one needs oily skin. Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Oil Free Lotion will give you soft skin without the greasy look. A little goes a long way, so no need to slather a bunch of lotion on. It’s also gentle enough to avoid causing breakouts. Which yes, even at my age I still suffer from- CURSES!

4. However, let’s say you do get that random pimple from stress, too little sleep or whatever it may be? An oldie but goodie cure is Mario Badescu Drying Lotion. There is a reason why it has been around for so long and has so many long-time fans, it really works.

5. Make Up For Ever Aqua Black Waterproof Cream Eye Shadow is an “eye shadow” but it can also be used as a gel eyeliner with wonderful staying power. This is by far the best eyeliner I have seen in years. It stays on like Bobbi Brown’s gel liner but without it drying out too quickly. LOVE IT!

If anybody has any other suggestions or recommendations for makeup or skincare please share!

If I get married, I want Kate Moss' Wedding

This past week, I have seen more and more pictures of Kate Moss' wedding. Everything looked just so effortlessly cool, didn't it? Well, what else would you expect from Kate Moss?








The dress was a gorgeous Galliano creation. It was just perfect, wasn't it? Although oddly inspired by Zelda Fitzgerald's wedding dress (well whatever inspires), the results cannot be argued with. At first glance, it looks a bit simple but then once your eyes reach the bottom of the dress you see all that wondrous sparkle. Her veil sealed the vintage/modern feel to her bridal ensemble. It was all so perfect for this intimate but large English countryside wedding. A series of contradictions but once you consider the Fitzgerald/modern infused inspiration, the more it all comes together.

I even loved the little old chapel they were married in. It was so quaint.









The car, the tux, the sweet little flower girls, ack! I just love everything.

Of course if I get married, I will probably end up looking more like the bride below. So yeah on second thought, I think I will just skip it all together.

It's just too dang hot

I was going to try to jog this afternoon after work- but then I considered that I might die of heat exhaustion alone out there on the track. Just not cool, I mean who would feed my dog? Look at that face- nothin' but trouble.

So instead I did my Tracy Anderson strengthening workout. Does anyone else find her cardio workouts odd- all she does is hop around here and there and everywhere like a frantic little sprite on coke or something. I just can't bring myself to do the cardio, it just makes me feel way too ridiculous.

Now I am heating up my diet approved dinner- it could be promising? It's only day 2 and I really miss my margaritas and the bad ones, the frozen ones that are just so perfect after a long hard work day or any day really.

Anybody reading anything interesting? I just finished, "Water for Elephants." I didn't see the movie but the book was ok- a little predictable at some points but still held my interest. Now moving on to "History of Love" and "Snoop: What Your Stuff Says About You."

Ok, I am back and will seriously try to do this blogging thing this time.