Just breathe...

I took this photo during a camping trip a couple months ago.

For me, this image is a symbol of hope. As I stared into the sunset that chilly October evening, I realized that life doesn't revolve around me. The world is beautiful, vast, and mysterious. No matter what happens to us, it doesn't matter. Life will go on. We need to appreciate life and the beauty around us, or we will regret it seconds before it is too late.

This year has been a test for me. I think I passed simply by not having a nervous breakdown. It has been a dreadful year, filled with death of people (and friendships), loss of money (and jobs), and other not-so-fabulous situations. I can only hope that 2011 will be a better year, filled with good news, rather than bad.



Maybe a year from now, I will look back on this post in bitterness because it didn't come true. Or perhaps I will look back on this post in relief because it did. Who knows.

I just can't dwell on the negative aspects of my life. I need happiness.

Thank you all for being fabulous friends.

Unreality Check

Something happened this weekend that made me so miserable, I literally wrote an entire blog post about how much I suck. It was brutal.

I didn't publish it because I decided I don't want to wallow in my misery. This blog is a place where I can get away from the stress of being me.

This blog is a place where I don't have to live in reality. I can be anything I want. I can do anything I want.

It's a place where I can eat fast food all day and not gain a pound.




It's a place where I can go to the beach any time I want.




It's a place where I look fabulous even while I'm doing chores.




It's a place where I kick ass.




It's a place where I'm not allergic to cats.




It's a place where I'm always fabulous.




It's a place where I can take risks without getting hurt.




It's a place where I feel beautiful.




It's a place where I have a lot of friends who will never leave my side.




It's a place where I have the best job in the entire world.




...I wish blog world was real world.

This weekend...

Follow your heart...




Let your imagination run wild...




Embrace romance...




Sleep in...




I have suffered a stressful Thanksgiving and need to lose myself in wonderfulness. Or I will have a mental breakdown. I'm taking my own advice.

See you Monday!

My Beauty Must-Haves for Cold Weather

One of the main reasons I used to hate winter was because I always looked like a troll. I'm not kidding. Once the cold weather hit, my dry skin and straw-like hair and bleeding lips would turn my radiant summer beauty into something out of a horror film. Now, in my mid-20s, I am free of that disturbing image.

After YEARS of searching, I have found three products that allow me to look somewhat decent in the fall and winter months. I decided to share them with you. I really hope you will try these products and that they offer you the same magic.

They are:


Healthy Sexy Hair
Soy Tri-Wheat Leave In Conditioner



Official description: "The Soy and Tri-Wheat combination combats against the harmful effects of the sun and environment while penetrating the hair to replace proteins. Creates soft and tangle-free hair. Energizing Kumquat fragrance."

This leave-in conditioner makes my hair smooth and extremely easy to brush. I always put it on after washing and conditioning my hair, especially in the winter months when my hair tends to be extremely dry. Sometimes I will occasionally spray it on my dry hair, if I'm not having a good hair day. Another benefit of this product is that if you tend to have very staticky hair during the winter, spraying this on your hair does help. (Side note: Spraying Static Guard on your brush and brushing it in your hair also helps for very bad static, but does not smell as nice).
You can find this product here.


Aveeno
Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer SPF 30



Official description: "Clinically proven Total Soy Complex and natural light diffusers work to naturally even out skin tone and immediately reflect light to bring out skin's natural radiance. Prevents premature aging."

My face gets really dry and scaly in the winter. It's embarrassing. This product is a lifesaver. Not only does it make my skin super soft and my skin tone very even, but it makes my skin glow. Like most girls, I think I have a lot of flaws, but I will admit one of my best features is that I have a very clear complexion. I rarely get a pimple and I have no scars on my face. So this moisturizer is literally the only thing I need to put on my face during the winter. I never wear foundation. This moisturizer makes my skin look THAT good. (Oh, and I was not surprised when I learned it won Glamour magazine's 2010 award for best moisturizer).
You can find this product here.


Elizabeth Arden
Eight Hour Cream Lip Protectant Stick



Official description: "Elizabeth Arden's renowned Eight Hour Cream in a super-protective, portable stick for lips. Enriched with emollients, protective sunscreen and vitamin E."

I spent years searching for the perfect chapstick. But nothing worked for me. During the winter months, my lips always cracked and bled. I felt like a freak. In 2007, Allure magazine opened my eyes to the Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Lip Cream. Oh. My. Freaking. God. It changed my life. It makes my lips super soft and sexy. My lips just drink up the moisture. I wear the original version on my lips at night and use the Plum shade on my lips during the day. It comes in several fabulous shades for every skin tone. It's bit pricey (around $17) but I tell you with my whole heart it is totally worth every penny. (Legend has it that when the lip cream was invented in 1930, it was such a spectacular success, Elizabeth Arden used it to soothe her famous thoroughbred horses' legs. Loyal clients even used it to heal skin for wounds on their children. In other words, it's awesome.)
You can find this product here.


Again, I really hope these products work for you. I have been using the leave-in conditioner for two years. I have been using the moisturizer for almost a year. I have been using the lip protectant stick for almost four years now. So, obviously, I'm not getting paid in any way to endorse them. Lol. (God, I wish).

Good luck!

Also, for those who celebrate, I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

A Very Anthro Weekend

Remember how Kerrie and I always match?

Well, this weekend was no exception. We both sported our new Anthropologie outfits Friday night. Oh, and we both wore our vintage fur coats with them too. It was ridiculous.

While we were out partying, we took some photos of our outfits. I haven't done an outfit post in SO FREAKING LONG, so I apologize for the lack of quality. We're obviously not professional photographers or anything. Haha!

Here is Kerrie with her vintage faux fur coat and Anthropologie sweater underneath. I think she had a little too much happy juice. (We both did).



I am wearing my vintage fur coat and Anthropologie dress (which I found at a garage sale for $5. It was brand new!)



This is a close-up of Kerrie's gorgeous sweater.



A better shot of my dress.



Fun times, fun times.

I hope all of you had a fabulous weekend as well!

Four years ago...

The lights were dim in the Oak Room on that blistery November night.

The snow outside the hotel lounge's crystal clear bay windows was whirling in the wind. The city skyline could barely been seen. Inside, I sat demurely on a maroon velvet couch, wearing a large belted men's black pinstripe shirt as a dress and red Jimmy Choo heels. He was standing at the bar, ordering another White Russian, while glancing at me out of the corner of his eye.

The jazz band across the room was playing "Christmas Time is Here."

It was my first time at the reputable Oak Room. Surrounded by sparkling martini glasses, black designer cocktail dresses, and glistening Rolex watches, I felt so grown up. I was 22. He was 26.

He came back to the couch and handed me my drink. Our hands touched and I gazed into his eyes, before blushing.

In that moment, I didn't know we would spend the next four years breaking each other's hearts. I didn't know we would spend the next four years mending them. I didn't know about his health problems which would occur. I didn't know about the weight I would gain. I didn't know about the jobs we would lose. I didn't know we would one day be living together in a tiny apartment, struggling, practically penniless, to get by.

I didn't even know if there was going to be a next date.

But the future didn't matter. I enjoyed sitting next to this good-looking man, who talked with passion about poetry and his classical guitar training. I enjoyed the way he laughed at my stories. I enjoyed feeling pretty.

I didn't want to be anywhere else.

Last night, I felt that again.

Guest Post: Leg Wear Trends

Today's guest poster is one of my favorite bloggers, Tights Lover. I'm not exaggerating when I say TL knows EVERYTHING about lingerie. He's like an encyclopedia. It's freaking awesome. Definitely check out his blog, The Panty Drawer, and I hope you enjoy his guest post!


Hello, 'I Know, Right?' readers. For those of you who don't know me, I am Tights Lover from the most awesome lingerie and leg wear blog: The Panty Drawer. I am very grateful to have been asked by Jennifer Fabulous to do a guest post.

As fall has been setting in, in my neck of the woods (New England), I've been loving the leg wear trends that I've been seeing around. I've decided to focus this post on some of my personal favorites while also, hopefully, pointing out that you don't necessarily have to spend a lot to have the latest leg wear looks. I've picked out an expensive, moderate, and inexpensive look for each of the following leg wear trends. I hope you enjoy them.

Basic Sheer Tights

Expensive


Wolford Satin Touch 20 -- Like I said, definitely a little on the expensive side, but an absolute must have staple to one's leg wear collection. The upside to paying the higher price is, if you treat them reasonably well, they'll last you a long time.

Moderate


Kunert Mystique Tights -- A little cheaper than the Wolford, they're comparable in quality with just a little less shine. You're still guaranteed to get plenty of wears out of these.

Inexpensive


Levante Brillante Tights -- Same sheerness and shine as the Wolford tights, the Levante's will run you less than $10 a pair. Despite the much smaller price tag, these are still very high quality and durable. These will last you multiple wears as well.

Patterned Tights

Expensive


Fogal Snake Tights -- Fogal has an amazing collection of patterned printed tights, especially animal prints. They also have unmatched feel and quality. If you are in the mood to splurge, this is a great option.

Moderate


Falke Sharon Tights -- Falke can typically be a very expensive brand, but these tights can be had for under $20. I love the texture and pattern of these as well as the illusion of a thigh high stocking on the tights.

Inexpensive


Jonathan Aston Tartan Tights -- If you love patterned tights, you should definitely get to know Jonathan Aston. This brand is constantly coming out with new trends and patterns of leg wear and much of it is well under $10.

Leggings

Expensive


Black Milk Teardrop Laces Leggings -- When it comes to leggings, there are few, if any, brands doing it better than Black Milk right now. If you're not familiar with this name, you should definitely check it out...they have plenty of other amazing styles of leggings.

Moderate


MaxMara Eva Footless Tights -- For a much sheerer (and much less expensive) look than the Black Milk, go with the Eva Footless Tights. MaxMara makes some of the best feeling most comfortable tights on the market. You can get the Eva's for under $20.

Inexpensive


Tiffany Quinn Opaque Footless Tights -- For a sheerness in between the Black Milk and MaxMara options (as well as a price well below both), go with the Tiffany Quinn footless tights. These are a great pair of basic footless tights that will cost you well under $10. Not bad for a style that can be paired with almost anything.

I hope you enjoyed today's guest post. If you did, feel free to drop by The Panty Drawer, at any time, for many more posts like this. Thanks again, to Jennifer Fabulous!