Summer Whimsy

I've been on the hunt for summer whimsy lately. Here are some pretty little finds:

A jar of fireflies (actually teeny lights) from Catching Fireflies:



Tea soaps from Gianna Rose Atelier:



Vintage seed packets at Etsy:

Current Obsession: The Soap & Paper Factory

I like my soaps pretty, so when I chanced upon The Soap & Paper Factory, I felt like I was dealing with people I could understand. The bold floral prints, the whimsical touches--these are all things I love when it comes to soap--and stationary. I can't do a proper review because I haven't tried any of these products, but here a few items that caught my eye:

Green Tea Fizzing Bath Powder:



Rosewood Scented Drawer Liners:



Orange blossom Scented Stationary:



Fig Soap (they have boxed sets, too):





Verbena Scented Candle:

In My Bag

Right after I took this picture I realized that I forgot to include my phone, which is exactly what happens to me in real life! :)

My very favorite bag: an embroidered and beaded bag from Hanoi, Vietnam

Fekkai Glossing Cream: great for smoothing ends

Paula's Choice Essential Non-Greasy Sunscreen: this is what I wear under my makeup everyday. It does not feel like a "sunscreen," just a light moisturizer that blends in all the way.

Benefit Realness of Concealness mini "fake-it" kit

NARS blush/bronzer duo in Orgasm and Laguna: this product really convinced me that high-end makeup is worth the price. I don't like fake-tanners, but this duo gives me a summery glow. I do think I'd probably look better in Sin/Casino because of my skin tone.

Juicy Couture Perfume: Doesn't smell as little-girlish as it sounds.

Carnal Flower by Dominique Ropion for Editions de Parfums Frederic Malle: I can only afford little bottles at a time (because a 50-ml bottle costs $200). This is my very favorite scent ever. I don't wear it everyday, but I like to have it with me at all times so that I can inhale it whenever the craving strikes. If you want to know exactly how I feel about it, read my review here.

Anastasia pink tweezers

Lubricant eye-drops for my chronically dry and red eyes.

A whiteboard marker because they're always missing, and I like purple. (I'm a high school English teacher.)

Flip Ultra Camcorder. Cute little camcorder has a built-in USB and records up to 60 mins of video. Runs on 2 AA batteries. Very handy and affordable ($114 @ Amazon.com).

My passport. What can I say? I'm a jet-setter. :)

Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Super Antioxidant Mattifying Concentrate: Because it's never too early to start warding off free-radicals, and it keeps me shine-free.

BareMinerals SPF Foundation in Light: my rock.

Smashbox Smokey Eyes eyeshadow trio, eyeliner, and brush (looks like this is no longer available @ Sephora).

Blush and kabuki brushes

Allergy medicine: I have Urticaria, which means the skin on my body breaks out in welts that spread into bigger welts when scratched. Thankfully, a daily allergy pill makes the problem go away completely.

Cheap sunglasses, which I'm bound to break--like every other pair I've owned--soon. Maybe they break because they're cheap, but I don't want to buy a $200 pair and find out the hard way.

Vaseline Lip Therapy: not my favorite, but I'm upset that C.O. Bigelow discontinued my favorite pinky-brown shade of minty Lip Shine. I have to go to my local Bath & Body Works to find out if they replaced it with something similar. In the meantime, I'm going on a lip-gloss strike.

Dior Diorshow Mascara. Love this stuff. The brush is huge, which makes applying it a little tricky at first, but the effect is gorgeous. My only complaint is that something broke inside, so now when I take out the wand, the goop gets everywhere. I just ordered another one from Sephora, but this time I got "Black Out," which is supposed to be even more dramatic.

and, last but not least: Orbit Gum

Question:

Everyone keeps raving about MAC eyeshadows; can anyone recommend some shades for me? I have fair skin with olive/yellow undertones, dark brown hair and dark brown hair. In fact, here I am with aforementioned products slathered on:

Vanity Tray

I love the look of an antique mirrored vanity tray on top of a white vanity or desk. They look best when they're used to hold bud vases, different sized jars, antique china and silver, candles, and little jewelry boxes. A large branch used to dangle jewelry and ornaments would add to the whimsical feel:

From PierreDeaux:



From Viva Terra:

I'm Back! And in the mood to decorate

I really miss posting about the little, whimsical things I find and fall in love with, so I'm back! I got a job in Thailand, so I'll be packing up and leaving the US in mid-July. I'm so excited about looking for an apartment (and decorating it!). Bangkok is such a vibrant and cosmopolitan city. A little chaotic, but lots of fun, too.

I'm thinking about decorating my future bedroom in black and white damask with deep pink accents. Here are some ideas:

Flock damask cushion from Dwell:



Rose string lights from Graham & Green:



Pretty colors and textures from Designers' Guild:





Black and white damask armchair from Pier One:



I've seen damask wallpaper and bedding, but I'd rather use it, along with deep pink, as an accent. I don't think I could handle too much of it in my bedroom. I'm also planning on softening the look with lighter pinks and antique, "shabby chic" touches, which I will post about next.