holy grail status: mascara

let me shout it from the rooftops, this mascara is the best. after weeks & months of impatiently waiting, l'oreal lash paradise is finally anywhere and everywhere. trust me, you need it now. after only one coat (albeit one carefully applied coat on my left eye) my lashes were full, long, and defined with the perfect extra flick on the end -  just how I like them.

even as someone who always airs on the side of length vs volume, this magical formula gives you both and holds a curl! (hint: curl your lashes before applying the mascara, and give em a little touch up after they've dried) as with any mascara I buy, I chose the blackest black + non-waterproof version and had 0% issue with flakes/smudges/transfers throughout the day. because the brush is on the chubbier side and chock full o' bristles (and bearing quite the resemblance to a mascara that's better than a certain somethin' somethin' for a lot less $$$), I did see a bit of transfer onto my lid during application. but to be honest, that happens with a lot of mascaras I use. could have something to do with my eye shape/long lashes/application technique, but a quick touch up with a dry q-tip and you're good as new! (hint: wait until the mascara has dried to sweep it away vs. smearing all over your lid)

mascara is one makeup product that I am religious about throwing away after a couple months, no exceptions. not only does the formula totally change, the brush gets gooped up, and 9x out of 10 the scent changes, but all of that bacteria near your eyes is just asking for trouble. a drugstore price point makes me feel even better about constantly rotating through tubes, and I love that I can pop into CVS and grab a fresh one.

any new products that you've tried and fallen head over heels for? always on the hunt for the next best thing.

xx, marissa

essentials: winter skin

I was definitely naive when it came to thinking about what the drastic change in zip code would do to my skin. when I left boston and headed to la with 0% humidity and horrible water, my skin seriously felt it (dry & irritated scalp, patchy skin, and mini bumps + breakouts). coming back at peak skin freak out time and into full-on frigid temps, my skin is definitely feeling it again. my friend (and skin god send) cheryl ferrari of face facts healing spa fit me for a mini appointment a few weeks ago and hallelujah 🙏🏼 my skin is on a whole different level. i've blogged about my finicky sensitive skin before (check it out here and here), and always seem to air on the side of 'less is more' when it comes to moisture and products. cheryl set me straight, and sent me home with knowledge & samples to help survive winter.

when it comes to skincare, first and foremost, is staying hydrated. we all know how important water is, and that our skin is the largest organ and functions best with the help of water, but the majority of us aren't drinking enough. with the #newyearnewme mentality that's going strong this time of year, make it a priority to up your water intake; you'll see the benefits everywhere! my biggest pet peeve when it comes to drinking water is keeping it cold- I like my water so cold it take your breath away (never enough ice cubes). my s'well water bottle has been a game changer for keeping my water frigid for a full day (I have the 25oz large size, so I make it my goal to drink 4 full bottles throughout the day).

dry brushing is another piece of my skincare routine that I'm pledging to incorporate more in 2017. there are plenty of tutorials on youtube (check out this cheryl recommended video that also educates on the importance of lymph health), but the jist is long slow strokes on dry skin from your wrists to shoulders (don't skip your armpit), feet to hips, belly, and all connecting at your heart. this will help with dry skin, skin cell rejuvenation, and help pump blood throughout your body. my favorite is to dry brush right before a shower, then follow with a dry oil to lock in the moisture- love this one from nuxe paris (and I love the shimmer version in the summer for a little somethin' somethin' on your décolletage and shoulders). 

masking was another piece of the skincare puzzle that cheryl was stressing. too many people skip this crucial step, but it's so important for maintaining moisture and is the best workout for good skin. my favorite for general skin up-keep is the white clay mask from the phyto 5 skincare line that cheryl imports from switzerland, uses, and loves.

after cleansing/masking, it's so important to put that moisture back into your skin helping to stay nice and plump (the best way to combat wrinkles & fine lines!) using a great moisturizer. from the same phyto 5 line, I love the wheat day cream and the water night cream. the day cream is light and perfect for sinking into my skin while I get ready in the morning, while the night cream is a bit thicker and provides the right amount of richness to sink in while you're sleeping. both are working great with my sensitive skin, and fingers crossed it stays that way. I also add a couple spritz' of evian facial spray before applying the moisturizer (day or night) to up the moisture a bit- this is a staple in my skincare routine/life regardless of the season (always in my summer pool/beach bag).

and last but not least, lip care. as a regular lip chewer (#candidconfessions), I always have some sort of lip balm in my bag/coat pockets. it wasn't until I tried this ultra-nourishing lip balm from nuxe paris that I saw a true difference in the condition of my lips. the little glass pot is my favorite for before bed application since it's super thick (and almost gritty texture) really grips to your lips to keep them plump and hydrated all night. the stick version is what I keep in my bag for during the day application (I can't stand sticking my finger in a pot when I'm out and about), but the texture/formula is completely different than the other version (much thinner/glossier/without the grittiness).

have you tried any of these products to combat the dreaded dragon skin of winter?

hope everyone's holidays and new year were great, and you're feeling strong/happy/healthy coming into 2017!

xx, marissa

lusting after: christmas wishlist

being a kid, there was nothing better than when holiday catalogs started showing up and when christmas commercials began playing; soaking up the toys that we needed to have waiting under the tree on christmas morning. I was always super elaborate when it came to my lists, noting the stores items were available at and the color/specifications it may have. that type a-ness has carried into my adult life in more ways than one, and holiday wish lists are no exception. while some people love gift cards and your ability to choose your own gift, there's nothing I hate more than a bunch of gift cards. while it's nice to be able to choose exactly what you want (and it's nice to take the pressure off when shopping for someone), I love seeing what someone else has chosen for me. I've rounded up a few things that I would love to find wrapped under the tree on christmas morning 🎄

1. I live in a pair of taupe booties I bought last season, but sometime the slightly higher heel makes them tough to wear all day. I've been meaning to add a pair with a smidge smaller heel to my wardrobe for days when I know I'll be on my feet, that can be worn with jeans and sweaters in the winter/fall and skirts and dresses in the spring/summer. I love this pair from Lucky Brand with it's perforated detail and cut out opening.

2. I almost always ask for a fragrance for the holidays- it's an easy thing for someone to gift (as long as they know what scent you wear), and the gift sets feel extra special with their bonus gifts. this set from Elizabeth and James in my favorite scent (Nirvana Black) comes with a mini version of their dry shampoo (a cult favorite amongst dark haired gals & anyone who loves the scent) and a mini lotion along with the full sized fragrance. if you love the idea of gifting a fragrance but aren't sure what scent is right, try this perfume sampler from Sephora- try the samples, pick your favorite, and get a full sized version of your fave.

3. as someone who loves glitter and sparkle, this phone case is the best. when my uber cool boss showed up with it, I knew it had to be mine. equal parts girly, cool girl, and grown up snow globe- all amazing.

4. rebecca minkoff makes my favorite (and most accessible) handbags, hands down. while my collection seems to keep growing, I can't get enough of her bags. amazing quality leather or suede, great design, and realistic price point. this bag is one of my favorites for a classic bag, in a neutral color that will go with anything (this version is a bit less everyday, but so fabulous or holiday!)

5. I've loved Gray Malin's pieces for years, and with his Positano beach series, I was hooked (it's one of my favorite places on Earth). moving back to the East Coast and redoing my apartment has me dying to add this piece to my life. love everything from the colors, to the symmetry, and of course the subject. whether you're looking to add a piece to a bedroom, living room, or even a child's room- Gray's pieces are perfect.

6. a gift guide from me wouldn't be complete without without some jewels. these earrings are part of the collaboration between my former bosses (M. Flynn) and blogger Erin Gates (behind Elements of Style). love everything from the rose gold color, to the diamond accent, and the compass rose design. the perfect everyday earring that will look fabulous for years to come.

what items are on your wishlist this holiday season?

xx, marissa

outfit inspo: thanksgiving

thanksgiving is in one week. please, let that sink in because I can't believe we're already at this point of the year. holy moly. my family is pretty relaxed around the holidays, so wardrobe is pretty much whatever you want. while leggings and hoodies may be comfy and the norm for my younger cousins, I like to look a bit more put together even when we're just at home. sweater dresses are one of my favorites- comfy sweater material and a roomy fit after all the yummy food. you can add a pair of tights (thick black, sweater, sheer, whatever) if you think it's a bit bare, or higher boots for more coverage.

one. love the lace up detail, but the oversized chunky laces keep it more comfy less clubby.

two. this color! cannot get enough deep marsala red. love it with a dark lip and a statement earring.

three. super flattering silhouette- the zippers keep it from looking boxing, and add a touch of edge. 

four. between the cowl neck and the camel color, this dress may need to be mine regardless of the holiday. love it with some thigh high black suede boots that I have.

what's your wardrobe for thanksgiving? strictly comfort, or a bit more style?

xx, marissa

love it/hate it: glossier

as far as instagrammable companies go- glossier is definitley at the top of the list. everything from their easy breezy beautiful staff "models" to the perfectly pale pink packaging and cutesy feel good messaging, is just waiting to grace your feed and help anyone achieve cool girl status. any self respecting hills fan should remember emily, the preppy dark haired new york teen vogue intern brought in to show up lauren during some party for the magazine- love the battle of east coast vs. west coast. fast forward to present day and that same emily is the writer behind the popular beauty blog, into the gloss, and the skin care/cosmetic company in question, glossier.

the second I saw the packaging, I knew it was only a matter of time before I would be placing my own order (sucha sucker for packaging). the original claim to fame was boy brow, a product that was supposed to give you brooke shields worthy brows without all the fuss and muss, and was on backorder for basically ever (hate when companies do that). when I saw that it was back in-stock, into the cart it went (in the shade brown) along with the priming moisturizer. 

the packaging of everything was just as amazing as I anticipated it being; pale pink everything, a bubble wrap pouch (I love a good pouch!), stickers to decorate your products/phone/whatever (what kind of person doesn't love stickers...), and the most perfectly perfect moto "skin first. makeup second. smile always." too, too cute.

boy brow was the one I couldn't wait to get my hands on. all the videos on the site show the models using boy brow as their only brow product to achieve amazing whipspy natural brows, and I tried it that way my first go around and wasn't wowed by the results. it's definitely a good brow product, keeping my thick and unruly brows in place (a feat in and of itself) and since it's tinted, it added a little somethin' somethin' to some thinner areas. but, if you're looking to fill in spare areas where hair just won't grow, or use a product to build up your arch or create a tail- you'll definitley need to pull in a powder/pomade/pencil to get the job done. I've had the product for a couple months, using it daily, and have noticed that it's already starting to change in consistency; either getting to the end of the tube or it's already drying up- bummer since it's definitely not drugstore pricing, but not make or break.

I've blogged about my issues with moisturizers in the past (check it out here!), but decided to give this one a try. since the basis of the company is skin care I thought that it would be basic enough for my super sensitive skin (fragrance/paraben free and derm approved), doesn't contain sunscreen (leaves me with super cute bumps all along my hairline), and has a thinner texture (something that I prefer in my everyday moisturizer). the first time I tried it I was still living in los angeles and it was just too much for the warm climate. I could feel the product sitting on my face, and caused a couple blemishes after a few days of use. I had a feeling that once I was back in the colder new england air, it would be a great part of my skincare routine. it's been two weeks and it seems like I was right.

still looking to try the balm dot com (deciding between the original or rose & cherry flavors), the milky jelly cleanser (love a milky cleanser during the winter), the mega greens galaxy pack mask (after I finish up some glam glow masks that are still kicking), and the soothing face mist (evian is my go-to, but I love trying new mists)- so safe to say we're in love it territory. 

have you tried anything from the glossier line? what are some of your brand favs that I shouldn't miss?

xx, marissa

ps. haven't pulled the trigger on an order? here's 20% off your first order ♡

goodbye LA

the time has come for this east coast lady to head back to her roots, and kiss LA goodbye. these past 2 years have been amazing, and I'm so glad that I decided to pack up my life and try something new. I knew when I made the decision to leave boston, that it was temporary. I didn't have the standard LA dreams of moving here and becoming famous, or leaving massachusetts forever and setting up shop in california. these two years have been exactly what I needed to reignite the fire in my belly for boston, and allow me to fall back in love with new england. they say distance makes the heart grow fonder, and this is certainly one time when "they" know what they're talking about. there are plenty of things that I'll miss about LA, but number 1 is definitely all of my loves (mostly the ying to my yang/resident best friend <3). I've been so lucky to meet some of the most amazing people, and I don't take a single one of them for granted. I consider myself a 'people collector'- not a weirdo who collects people in a freaky way you sickos, but a person who collects important people from every stage of their life and holds onto them. LA, with it's industry people who are vapid, shallow, and stereotypical in every sense own the word, is a tough place to meet people, real people who you will share your life with and become better person because of. I was lucky to meet a whole slew of them, and I'll treasure them forever. anyone thinking of moving to LA, my advice is to have a thick skin to deal with all of the bullshit that comes with living here, but once you get past that, it can be an amazing place to grow as a person. I tell people all the time that I do my best growing as a person when I move to a place where I know (hardly) no one, and are forced into a sink or swim situation- my time in Madrid was the best thing for me, and now LA is a similar situation. I think anyone can benefit from time outside of their comfort zone, and these two years in LA have been such a learning period for me. goodbye LA, I'll miss you and your flakey people, your traffic, your lack of public transportation, your incomparable mexican food, your incredible vintage shopping, your beaches, your bums, your comedy scene, your jay-walking, your toilet seat covers, your lighted parking garages, and some of my favorite people in the whole wide world.

thank you for everything; I'll be back before you know it.

xoxo, marissa

bucket list: DTLA

as I was heading to my other must see spot on my DTLA adventure, I had a super deja vu feeling, and realized that I was right in the middle of one of my favorite movies. remember the park bench from 500 Days of Summer that was tom's favorite view of LA? you're looking at it. the park (Angel's Knoll) has unfortunately closed due to budget cuts (some suit thinks it should be turned into a sky scraper - cue eye roll), but if you walk down the Angel's Flight railway/stairs (another randomly cool thing I stumbled upon), the park is to the right. being from boston, a city where old and new combine so seamlessly wherever you look, I love finding pockets like this. I snapped a quick picture, almost slipping and tumbling down a giant concrete trench in front of a gaggle of homeless people, checked out the originally restored cars from 1901, and headed on my way.

the point for my trek away from the museum was to see the bradbury building, an obsession of mine for years. I love old architecture, and this building is a serious gem that is still fully functioning as an office building (including the original cage door elevator). thankfully, visitors are allowed into the lobby of the building during office hours, so I poked my head in for a few fan girl minutes, snapped some pictures, and headed on my way. so much attention to detail- they just don't make building like they used to. unfortunately for fans of the building, there is a security guard on duty who makes sure you don't go any higher than the first floor landing. I'm sure the view from the top looking down is amazing, but even from the bottom I loved it.

 

the last stop on my DTLA adventure was a total happy accident. I had a bit of time to kill before I headed home, and realized that I was right around the corner from the last bookstore - a place that I had read about for a while, but never made it to. I love putzing around a traditional bookstore, and this place takes that love to another level. used books for dirt cheap, new releases, records, vintage books, artist studios, and a labyrinth of rare book combine in an insanely cool downtown space. I could have spent hours pursuing the shelves, and checking out the art work. definitely a must see, we all have to work to keep cool and unique spaces like this alive in a world that is slowly and surely killing off bookstores in favor of amazon and online shopping.

have you paid a visit to any of these locations?

xx, marissa