product placement.

There's so much to beauty.

It's got a lot of depth and complexity for something that seems to always get bogged down in skin-deep surface obsessions: skinny/fat, pretty/ugly, hott/or not. It's so not that easy.

It's such an undefinable thing: black and white photos of my Mom in her high school cheerleading uniform, the waitress sporting the perfect coral lip color, character descriptions from my favorite books, Nike commercials, the way the guy in front of me in line at Starbucks looked at his girlfriend - so gone in love, scratchy voices, the courage of my roommate in the face of upcoming surgery...

I've never been much of a makeup person. I truly believe there is no such thing as a life-changing mascara.

But IntotheGloss has become one of my favorite places to visit on the internet.

So,

Beauty Products I would personally endorse if I were an "expert"...

Clarins Sunless Tanning Gel.

I love that "glow." And in the summer I am on a constant quest for the perfect suntan and live to sunbathe (but I always apply my SPF). However, I have never, and hopefully will never, set foot in a tanning salon.

Tip: Mix it in with your moisturizer.

Moroccan Oil.

Believe all the hype. It's worth the price. Your hair will thank you. Especially if you're like me and wait eons in between hair cuts. Plus, it smells amazing.

Noxema Triple-Clean Anti-Blemish Pads.

Harsh - like, it stings. But I think I would go so far as to make a clearer skin guarantee.

Bare Essentials face powder.

Seriously the perfect coverup for people who like it to look like they're not wearing any makeup.

Dial Soy & Almond Milk shower gel.

It's just so perfect: cheap, industrial-sized, leaves a subtle, clean smell.

Best beauty decision:

Putting an end to the high school highlighted hair.

Best beauty advice:

Drink lots of water.

this weekend.

Finding the fun in rain delays, followed by something that can only be described as absolute heartbreak.

...with nothing at stake, Kevin Durant's charity basketball game helped ease the pain.

p.s. Boomer Sooner!

last weekend.

Weekend-ing in Arkansas: our favorite restaurant + a Halloween-themed hike.
We've decided Arkansas' bad reputation (meth labs à la Winter's Bone and incest) is a foil to keep a surprisingly gorgeous state from overcrowding.

Perfect album for the drive:

Bruce Springsteen, We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions...

Now Old Dan Tuker was a fine old man

Washed his face in a fryin' pan
Combed his hair with a wagon wheel

And died with a toothache in his heel

(Old Dan Tucker).

10.11.11

There won't be nothin' but big old hearts

Dancin' in our eyes

In Spite of Ourselves, John Prine (w/Iris DeMint).

I highly recommend listening to the entire song.

...because today marks two years and I am still constantly surprised by the music playing in my boyfriend's car :)

p.s. Today is also the day one of my favorite writers, Jeffrey Eugenides, has a much anticipated new book coming out. Yup, today is definitely a good day.

this art of swimming.

Currently reading Out of Africa by Isak Dinesen.

(While it rains and I bask in the glory of beating Texas).

And I've already determined it's the most beautiful book I've ever read.

...in a moment of extreme tension, I have met the eyes of my Native companions, and have felt that we were at a great distance from one another, and that they were wondering at my apprehension of our risk. It made me reflect that perhaps they were, in life itself, within their own element, such as we can never be, like fishes in deep water which for the life of them cannot understand our fear of drowning. This assurance, this art of swimming, they had, I thought, because they had preserved a knowledge that was lost to us by our first parents; Africa, amongst the continents, will teach it to you: that God and the Devil are one, the majesty co-eternal, not two created but one uncreated, and the Natives neither confounded the persons nor divided the substance.

process & product.

Gourd turned ghost, a personal point of pride.

natural selection.

I really find nothing more aesthetically pleasing than rows upon rows of pumpkins.

whether i shall turn out to be the hero of my own life.

I had my first pumpkin spice latte from Starbucks this morning.

Even though I love all things pumpkin, I've resisted the urge. Just like I don't want to be the girl at the bar ordering the super girly drink, I don't want to be taken as a "frou frou' coffee drinker.

However, it was delicious. Fall in a to-go cup. And further proof that I will be attempting to cling to October with all of my might.

Remember when "I Go Out Of My Way To Step On A Particularly Crunchy Leaf" was like the most popular facebook group to be a part of? I want the crisp mornings and latte sips to be more than a potential blog post. I want to revel in the moments and be completely present. I will not let this month zoom by.

p.s. There was a great scene from Boardwalk Empire tonight where the opening lines of Charles Dickens' David Copperfield were read aloud:

Whether I shall turn out to be the hero of my own life, or whether that station will be held by anybody else, these pages must show.

p.p.s. More great opening lines from novels.