MAY FAVORITES

Summer vibes guys. Finally. This time last year I was boating around the Amalfi Coast (take me back cause I'm too pale at the moment), but this May has been super super busy and chock full of Manhattan madness. May's typically a funky month for fashion (you begin with pants and end with short shorts) but the much needed sun makes this time of year so refreshing. This May,  I tried a ton of new and cool products that I've ended up LOVING! So without further ado, let's get into it, shall we?

Beauty

01. Mac Melon- An oldie but GOODIE. So fun fact, I was introduced to this pigment back in my senior year of high school when I got my makeup done for my senior prom. I had this beautiful almost neon-colored coral dress made by Jesus Estrada (Project Runway Season 7), and I wanted a shimmery eye makeup pigment that would really compliment the dress, but still stand out and accentuate my brown eyes. My Mac girl swatched this for me and I've never looked back since. This iridescent pinky-corally-gold is simply the most decadent Springy/Summer shadow I've EVER laid my eyes on. For those familiar with Mac, this is basically the Rubenesque paint pot (which is also to die for) in powder form. PRO TIP: I love foiling this and placing it on my lids. I've ranted about my love for foiling pigments before on KQ, but they're especially amazing in the summer to really get the shadow to last all day in the heat and sunlight. 

QUICK & Basic Guide to Foiling a Pigment //

Simply spray a flat shader brush with a makeup setting/fixative spray (I use Mac's Fix+). Tap and mix the wet brush into the powder to achieve a creamy consistency and place it on your lids. And, DONE!

02. Mac Copper Strip- There's not much else I love more beside a good chubby eye pencil, especially one that is beach friendly. Mac's Copper Strip came out a few years ago in one of their summer collections, and its been a staple in my summer makeup bag since. It's a chubby power chrome liner that's soft to the touch and leaves a gorgeous coppery-brown finish. This is great for  defining the lower lash line and will most certainly survive the heat.  

03. theBalm 'Hot Mama'- I looked back into my favorites before adding this one this month to see if I've ever talked about it before, and I don't think I have! Not only do I adore theBalm's packaging, this color is absolutely beautiful. With gold flecks of shimmer, the blush is mainly a pigmented corally-pink, and I'd actually say it could probably work as a dupe for Mac's Springsheen pretty well. 

04. Mac Prep & Prime Lips- Ok, so I'm the first to say that as soon I got into makeup, the first thing I never really understood was primer. I pretty much was convinced all primers were gimmicky and not worth it except for eyeshadow ones. This soon changed when I actually started trying face primers as well like Porefessional and Smashbox, but lip primer?! Can't you just use chapstick? The answer is, well yes, but I've been converted. Miss Lindsey (and a Mac girl) recommended this to me, and I was pretty impressed. Although it looks like chapstick, it actually feels very different, and rather then a heavy consistency, it's actually extremely light. It also doesn't feel greasy or too much, it's just the right about of moisture to keep your lipstick on all day. I really dig it and it's become my go to every day since I purchased it. 

05. Sonia Kashuk Eye Makeup Remover- GUYS. Seriously, I cannot believe I haven't added this to my favorites (ever, I think). This product is secretly gold, and I've been using it for years. It totally is one of those products that sits on my vanity next to other various potions and sometimes can be forgotten, but I recently ran out and went to buy a new one, and my love for it was sparked once again. Eye makeup removers are pretty terrifying, cause nobody likes their eyeballs burning off (I tried one from the Body Shop once and it literally made my eyes burn for hours). This one, on the other hand, is sooooo gentle and feels amazing. Next to Bioderma, this is my second favorite liquid eye makeup remover, and you can buy it at "Targét", after all. 

06. Clean & Clear Blotting Sheets- It's that time of year again ladies & gents, when combination or oily skin makes you super shiny throughout the hot summer days. These have been my saving grace for a few summers now. You'll never leave your house without 'em. 

Smell-Good Stuff

07. Elizabeth and James White Rollerball- Even though I still swear by Nirvana Black, I got this as gift from a Sephora VIB perk, and I thought it was the perfect little bottle for my purse. I do own the bigger rollerball tubes of White & Black, but I really love the compactness of this little one. I kinda want the mini black one now. 

08. St. Ives Oatmeal and Shea Butter Body Wash- Ironically (or not so ironically) this body wash was in my favorites last May, because I used the travel size when I was traveling around Italy. You know when a certain smell reminds you of a place? Yeah, for me, this smell reminds me of summer and Italy. I do think this bottle is way too big, but by the amount I've managed to use in a few days, I think I'll be able to finish it quickly. It's just glorious and basically my summer scent. That is all. 

09. Bumble+Bumble Hairdresser's Invisible Oil Shampoo and Conditioner- As another nod to Sephora, I received travel size versions of these via the VIB perks. Needless to say, I liked them so much I went to purchase the regular-sized versions. I've used Bumble+Bumble before (LOVE their Sea-Salt Spray), but I've never delved into their shampoos and conditioners, but I'm so glad I did. My hair is less frizzy, extremely less knotted, and looks a lot healthier and stronger since I've been using these. 

Miscellaneous

10. These Stickers C/O Brandy Melville- If you've ever been to a BM, you'd know that at the front checkouts they usually have piles of stickers that people can take. Obsessed with these Emoji/ Snapchat inspired ones. And donuts. 'Nuff said. 

LOOKBOOK& clips from this month 

[clips mainly of Lindsey and I shopping, and I got a little carried away with kaleidoscope effects but I kinda dig it... whoops;)] 

happy summer my loves.

"We know what we are, but not what we may be"

[Hamlet 4.5]

Cheers, xoxoxo

PSYCHE

There's not much else I love more besides muraled walls, and I do wish there were more cool ones like this uptown (thank you Lafayette Street). Even though Miss Lindz & I stumbled upon this one, I was so happy we did, cause I thought it contrasted beautifully with my simple ensemble for the day. 

I started with these striped pants from Pacsun, or as I like to call them, my beetlejuice pants. PRO TIP- when purchasing striped garments, I always go for verticle strips unless the stripes are extremely extremely thin, then I'll be fine with getting a horizontal pattern. It's just a matter of aesthetic, for the vertical stripes will create an illusion that you're taller, and the thin horizontal stripes will be too small to widen your body. I paired this with a Brandy Melville crop top (yay for crop top season!) & simply finished it off with my Birks. To play around and add some dimension, I went with a pink tattoo choker in place of any delicate jewelry, and matched it with my white rubber watch courtesy of Marc Jacobs. My bag is also from MJ, and it's brand new, and I'm in love with it.

♕ Photos by Lindsey Marie♕

"Thus the whirligig of time brings in his revenges"

[Taming 5.1]

Cheers, xoxox

O SPITE

Bring it on summer. 

It has been whopping temps here, and I'm at home in NY until the end of May (when I get to return to NYC for the summer! YAS). Lindsey and I made a fun DIY the other day (check it out here), and of course, in the process, we couldn't do without photographing some style. Playing with stark white as my background, I wanted to mainly focus on contrast for this look. 

I started with I think my most favorite summer shorts I own, these distressed purple high waisted bad boys by Urban Outfitters. (I've been dying for months to wear these). I added a simply black vneck top, and a lace cardigan I purchased a while back at Beacon's Closet (if you don't know what that is, check it out; You won't regret it). My fun hat is a gift from Volcom, and these killer sandals were purchased last year in Rome. Finally, my watch is Marc by Marc Jacobs. An easy look no doubt, but still looking like it came out of a Free People ad. That's what we aim for.

 ♕ Photos by Lindsey Marie ♕

"You do advance your cunning more and more.

When truth kills truth, O devilish holy fray!"

[Midsummer 2.3]

CHEERS, XOOO

BASTET

......BASTET. 

What on earth could that mean? So, fun fact guys, I have a secret obsession with all things ancient Egyptian. I have since I was like, six... maybe even younger. True story, people in my family knew I loved ancient Egyptian things so much that they used to give me Egyptian god/goddess themed coloring books as gifts (yes, the ones you find in the kids section at the MET Gift Shop). I also got hieroglyphic stamps and booklets too (and yes, I can somewhat read hieroglyphics.. ok only half lying... I know the symbol for water, life, and a few other miscellaneous things). 

I'm not sure if it was my grade-school workbooks about Tutankhamen or my parents' constant marathons of Agatha Christie TV specials, (Death on the Nile, I'm looking at you) Egyptian culture, particularly that of ancient times: I'm talking Valley of the Kings, Pyramids, Sarcophaguses, the whole lot: it's so beautiful and there's something so enthralling about it. Plus, I think it's quite fitting that I like it so much, considering Egyptians invented makeup. 

________________________________________________________________________________

Bastet is the name of one of their female goddesses, one you might actually recognize, as she has a human body with a cat's head. Fitting to the feline fierceness, she was a goddess who represented warfare. Inspired by her aura and power, I put together this metal manic look that I'm kinda loving.

First off, my hair is in a low pony. I often wear my hair down (especially for KQ posts, so I wanted to switch it up and slick it back, kinda Kim K. style). My dress is a beautiful matte-silver sequin jumper that I purchased back in Florence in 2010. It was from a little boutique (god knows where, all I remember is that it was on a corner), and it has a jersey stretch to it which I adore. My shoes are Zara, also purchased in Florence back in '10, and these are simply the most comfortable un-comfortable looking shoes ever (a fashion week game changer, for me). 

I went with simple jewelry to finish off the look: my Orelia Into the Light Arm Cuff just below my elbow, and this dainty and beautiful Orelia Mismatched Stone Open Ring. Both pieces add a nice bit of contrast without clashing the detail of the dress, and also make a nice point that you can match gold and silver together. I finished the look off with a fun flash tattoo, (this one isn't actually the Flash brand, it's from Etsy, but you get the jist). Last fun fact: I have too many flash tattoos (thanks fashion week goodie bags/ dear friends). 

Probably not as many as I have hieroglyphic books though.... ha.

"There's beggary in the love that can be reckoned."

[Antony & Cleopatra 1.1]

Cheers, xoxox

LIQUID BLUE

Bring 90s Tim Burton back... PLEASE?? I channeled my inner 90s with this fun spring look. I wanted to play with similar grey tones (my top and bottom aren't a set, but I think it's kind of cool how they look like one). My leggings are courtesy of H&M and are this really acidic-faded shade which I'm loving. I cuffed them at the bottom to break up the entire look, and I always think a cuff looks best with these striking Steve Madden platforms. 

My denim shirt tied at my waist is from Urban Outfitters, and my top is a pocket muscle tee by Brandy (have I ever mentioned how much I adore muscle tees?) I added my go-to spring jacket and white Marc Jacobs watch. Couldn't finish it off without a choker by Tally Weijl and some kickass Lennon shades.

Here's to upcoming hot spring & summer days in Manhattan!

♕ Photos by Megan Jeffry ♕

"Conscience is but a word that cowards use, 

devised at first to keep the strong in awe"

[Richard III 5.3]

Cheers, xoxoxo