lipstick addict

When it comes to makeup, my routine is pretty much that, routine. My eyes may get a wash of a neutral shadow, definitely some black liner (on occasion I'll switch it up and use a deep orchid, mahogany, or dark, almost-black navy), and lots of mascara. I'll go through waves with my blushes- I'll use the same one for a while and then move on to something else in my arsenal. While everything else pretty much stays the same, the one thing I love changing on a consistent basis is my lip color. I love how it can transform a look. I can be wearing a lace top, add a dark red lip and all of a sudden it becomes a little more vampy. I can wear a t-shirt and jeans, throw on some bright pink and it becomes playful. You get the idea. My lipstick repertoire has gotten a little out of control over the years, but through it, I've discovered some really great favorites, shared below by color category. I'd love to hear what your favorites are!

Neutral

1. Bobbi Brown Beige - The perfect there-but-not-there nude
2. Bobbi Brown Brown - A nude with a hint of chocolate
3. Tom Ford Cocoa Ravish - That polished, "grown-up" lipstick everyone should own

Pink/Coral

1. Bobbi Brown Creamy Lip Crystal Pink - A light, pretty pink
2. NARS Niagara - The perfect coral
3. Makeup Forever Rouge Artist Natural N31 - Bright hot pink
4. YSL Lip Stain #15 - A long-lasting, glossy stain in a bright, juicy pink

Orange/Peach

1. Makeup Forever #39 - A light pastel peach
2. YSL Rouge Pur Couture #13 - A satin orange-red
3. Bobbi Brown Creamy Matte Jenna - A modern orange-red
4. MAC Morange - True orange

Red

1. Bobbi Brown Creamy Matte Red Carpet - A bright, matte red
2. NARS Cruella Lip Pencil - A deep blue-red in a jumbo pencil
3. Makeup Forever Rouge Artist Intense Moulin Rouge - Satin cherry red
4. Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet #39 - Like a good red wine

Berry/Fuchsia

1. Bobbi Brown Creamy Lip Blue Raspberry - An everyday, wearable berry
2. NARS Lip Pencil Never Say Never - Limited Edition, matte purple berry
3. NARS Funny Face - A punchy, bright fuchsia
4. Bobbi Brown Creamy Matte Crushed Plum - Opaque plum
5. Dior Rouge Dior #862 - Dark like bordeaux

Lip Care

Bobbi Brown Lip Balm - Fave, fave, fave

homemade potstickers

Potstickers, gyoza, dumplings, whatever you want to call them- we made around 240 of them all from scratch this past weekend. It is my grandmother's recipe that changes a little bit each time we do them, but they always turn out delicious no matter the variance. Making them in bulk is awesome because you can freeze them for later. It's great for when you're in a pinch and want something homemade but are too lazy to cook, or perfect if you need to whip up some appetizers for a dinner party, or wonderful if you want a little afternoon snack.

Bobo's Potstickers

2 lbs. ground pork
2 heads of napa cabbage
10 shiitake mushrooms
1 red bell pepper
1 cup pickled chinese vegetable (looks light brown)
1 bunch of clear, dry vermicelli
2 large eggs
Oyster sauce
Soy sauce
Salt and pepper
4 packages of your favorite potsticker wrapper
Small bowl of water (for sealing wrappers)

Soak dry vermicelli until just softened, but still firm. Cut vermicelli into small pieces. Julienne cabbage, mushrooms, bell pepper, pickled vegetable (I suggest getting out the food processor for this one, it will go much quicker). Mix all julienned ingredients with the pork, vermicelli, and two eggs. Add salt, pepper, oyster sauce, soy sauce to taste (we go very light on all these items because you usually eat these with a dipping sauce). Fill each wrapper with one spoonful of filling keeping it to one side of the wrapper. Dip your finger into the bowl of water and wet the entire circumference of the wrapper. Fold wrapper in half and press sides to seal (I like to pleat mine, but feel free to just fold it in half).

To freeze: Place potstickers on a parchment lined baking sheet making sure that none of them touch and place into freezer. Once frozen, you can place them in a ziplock bag and stick back into the freezer. Use within 3-4 weeks.

To cook (works both for fresh or frozen): On medium heat cook potstickers until one side is crisp and brown. Add 3 tablespoons of water to steam the wrapper. Once water has evaporated continue to fry. Flip potstickers until crisp and brown on each side. Enjoy with your favorite dipping sauce (I like mine with vinegar, soy sauce, and a little sriracha).

a whale's tale

Aritzia beanie, jacket and t-shirt, old Nine West boots
handmade whale's tale silver cuff, Bobbi Brown Red Carpet Creamy Matte Lipstick

We went out on a really nice day to take a visit to Sutro Baths and do a bit of exploring. It's an easy walk down from Land's End Lookout and gives you gorgeous views of the Pacific Ocean and a chance to walk through a cool cave. What I love most about this location is the land itself, you can see all it's history in the rocks. The different layers of rock that make up this place is so cool to see. Who knew it'd be right in your San Francisco backyard.

japan adventure

Morning green tea

I spent ten days in the beautiful country of Japan last November and visited four different cities, Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto and Hakone. Highlights of the trip (besides all the delicious food we ate) were the Tsukiji fish market, eating chestnuts and drinking hot milk tea by the river in Arashiyama, seeing the maple leaves turn red, convenience store trips, shopping in Daikanyama, meeting locals, and my absolute favorite, soaking in the onsen (hot spring). I feel like I barely scratched the surface of Japan and all it's rich culture and can't wait to go back again.

Foliage turning colors at Kiyomizu-dera

Walking around Asakusa

Super buttery, marbled wagyu

Beautiful details at the temples

Fun fashion in Harajuku

Cutest stores in Daikanyama

Relaxing by the river in Arashiyama

Roasted chestnuts and hot milk tea

Tea and hot towels upon our arrival at our onsen

One of the many delicious and beautifully presented meals

Onigiri snacks

Shabu-shabu in Ginza

Vending machines everywhere

Looking for Geisha in Gion

boyish charm

Wilfred Capucine T-shirt, James Jeans denim

Jack Purcell sneakers, Timex watch, Ebbets Field Flannels cap 

The weekends events included exploring the beautiful overlooks of San Francisco, and also hanging out in one of its parks that I don't frequent very often, Mountain Lake Park. San Francisco is such a beautiful city with breathtaking views everywhere, from the gorgeous skylines to streets lined with victorian houses, but my favorite always tend to be the overlooks with a view of the ocean and the unique topography of the California Coastline. I'm excited to do a bit more hiking on the various trails along the coastline once the weather gets back to normal and stops being so frigid. I also got to break in my new cap from Ebbets Field Flannels-- I love it for it's boyish, yet vintage look, not to mention the super cool green underbill. I'm always for bringing it back old school. :)

casual cashmere

I don't know why, but the first thing I always used think of when hearing the words, cashmere sweater was... old. Over the last few months upon acquiring this cozy cashmere sweater from my all time fave store, Aritzia (that I've worn more times than I can count), I've become obsessed. Since then, I've accumulated more cashmere items I think I've owned in all my life, and I love it.  It's lightweight, keeps me warm, and is extremely versatile. This past weekend I wore my cashmere sweater layered with a tank, jeans, and a broken-in pair of kicks. Not only was it simple and stylish, but functional enough to carry me through all the errands we did (plus a little adventure) and kept me warm.

T. Babaton cashmere sweater, Wilfred tank, Acne denim, Jack Purcell sneakers

a new year

The last day of 2012 was spent enjoying nature and reminiscing on the past year. Though it was a great year, I felt like I was a passenger, just along for the ride. This year, I'm looking forward to being the driver.

Dress from Japan, Nine West boots, Nars Cruella lipstick