Pen Pretty

Colors I'm Obsessed With For Spring

It's no wonder with my obsession over the color gray this winter, I would be wanting shades of dusty lilac and accents of sunshine yellow to update my wardrobe for spring. Here are some inspiring examples. Its dreary and gray as I write this, with the threat of rain on the way, so do indulge me as I fantasize a bit about Spring!

Let The French Cooking Begin!

I may love Japanese skincare, English literature, and Italian Haute Couture, but when it comes to adopting an entire lifestyle - France has my heart. It was this time last year I visited Paris for the first time and fell in love, so I was not surprised when friends would ask me if I'd seen Julie & Julia yet. Could it be the French connection and the fact that there is a devout blogger thrown in the mix that made my friends think of me when they saw this movie? Whatever it was, I was definitely pulled in. After watching it twice, I have been bit by the Julia bug and inspired by her life-changing experience in France. I loved seeing the scenes of Paris in all the seasons and also watching her cook with her Le Creuset French Ovens, two pieces that are already a staple in my kitchen. I bought the famous cookbook today and already am feeling the therapeutic effects these heartfelt recipes will have on my soul. It feels so natural, and makes me actually excited to cook in my less-than-standard kitchen. Who knew food and cooking could have such an effect on me? Thanks Julia for being such an inspiration and a beautiful person. Your infectious voice is etched in my brain forever. Bon Appetit! -j

Sent from my iPhone

Pen Pretty Inspiration: Blogging For Bliss by Tara Frey

via www.tarafrey.com

For anyone who's thinking of starting a blog, this book is so inspirational. The author interviews other inspiring bloggers and really nails the beauty of blogging. After reading her book, i've learned photography and design is equally as important as the content. Oh, and check out her blog www.bloggingforbliss.com. It's total eye candy! -j

Sade's New Album Release Feb 8th: Soldier Of Love

I am such a huge Sade fan and CANNOT WAIT till next month when her new album comes out. I just wanted to post a picture of the album cover that I think is so beautiful. She looks gorgeous as usual. It looks like her from the back looking over a battlefield landscape. (Actually, are those the Mayan/Aztec ruins?) Now she is a woman that always remains timeless in my eyes. Even her music gets better and better. I literally heard the song on the radio and immediately turned it up not knowing it was her! Feb 8th can't come fast enough. Let's hope for a hot summer night concert tour in California for 2010!

-j

 
 

Here's a picture of my DIY Iron!!

Forget spending a cent...find an old curling iron and do it yourself!

Sent from my iPhone

My DIY Clip-less Curling Iron

At Fashion Shows backstage, I've seen with my own eyes that the best ringlets and waves are done with a large barrel, clipless iron by wrapping the hair around the iron with your hands. I've seen vendors at the mall selling these irons for $70 and higher, but who has money for that these days? With the help of my husband, I was able to deconstruct a 2" barrel curling iron I had (from like 5 years ago) and re-purpose it into my very own clipless iron without spending a cent. We didn't even need tools! Now I just need to find a heat resistant glove so I can work the hair around the barrel without burning myself, and I am all set!

Kicking Off The New Year With A Facial

On Jan 1st, I woke up with the realization that 40 is just around the corner. Even though I've been told I look more like 28 instead of 38, I am still paranoid about those old-age wrinkles coming to torture me sometime soon. I had my last SK-II Facial on Dec. 24 where the aesthetician said my skin has improved in "texture" according to their fancy face-evaluating machine. I can tell she's right, and will post pics later for my 6-month mark follow up so you can see. I bought another big bottle of the Essence and I am realizing that it's really the true secret to my super-clear skin. I cannot live without it. I have been alternating it with SK-II's Signs Moisturizer and C Serum. Anyway, here are the other beauty staples I am sticking to this year on a regular basis, which were also all the things I used for my New Years Day morning ritual. That took about 2-hours. I can see this being an every weekend treat!:

Weekly Masks with either SK-II or Korres' Thyme & Honey (my pores literally disappear):

 

 
Weekly Treatments with my Tanda light-therapy device. It keeps my skin glowing. I use this right before I apply my SK-II Essence:

 

Daily use of my Clarisonic so my treatments actually "sink in." Used this first thing before applying ANY product:

 
 

A full face and body splash with Shiseido's Eudermine water. It leaves the perfect amount of moisture all over without the thick greasiness of a lotion. It literally goes on like an after-shave splash. It's also scented with the smell of rain-washed Peonies so you can literally skip perfume if you want. It smells so pretty. I love it!