A Bonafide Game Changer

I have been avoiding this product f-o-r-e-v-e-r. I've seen it on tons of blog lists, and even had a girl at the Benefit counter put it on me while I waited for my brows and wasn't impressed.

The original reason I didn't like the stuff I think had to do with the fact that the girl didn't apply it with the wand it comes with, but a sample wand for hygiene, and sadly the best part of the product (and what I'm convinced makes it so phenomenal) was not used during my first experience, and it makes all the difference.

If you're non-commital grab the $10 mini size, because I can pretty much bet money on the fact that if you haven't already tried the stuff you will love, love, love it.

I honestly don't even think I would have purchased the stuff after my first experience, but there musta' been some makeup angels watching over me because during my latest visit to Sephora I received my annual deluxe birthday sample, which happened to contain a mini thing of they're real, and also Watts Up highlighter (which I am also amazed by!). And I got to try the real deal, brush-n'all and it is a game changer. I was originally pleased because I could add them both to my purse makeup bag, but then I tried them. I am hooked you guys. The second I run out of this mini tube I'm running out to the nearest store to get the full size because my lashes are like whoa never before! 

Color me a fool because I've been avoiding this mascara forever and I was so wrong for doing it.

What are some products that caught you by surprise lately?

xo 

Siobhain

Classic Mojito, how I love thee

With summer, comes my longing for cold and refreshing adult beverages. The mojito of course is one that I crave most.

Right after college I spent some time working as a server at a Cuban restaurant and learned how the classic cocktail was made, and since have been kind of a snob about it (I even have a hard time ordering them places  now because so often they get ruined by sour mix).

Luckily, with the help of google you too can make the perfect mojito.

What is your ideal summer cocktail? 

xx

Siobhain

Let's Eat Lots of Lobster

I was born in Maine. The best thing about having family on the East Coast was pretty much their ability to bring tasty morsels (aka lobster) to California during each and every visit. Since 9/11 bringing live lobster has become super expensive because they require you to check them (you used to be able to consider them carry on) on top of the already pricey 15/lb.

Living in the Bay Area I generally have access to exceptional foods of all kind. I had never looked for lobster here before just because I always considered the lobster flown from Maine to be the best (color me spoiled rotten right?). Someone recently reminded me how abundant live seafood is at asian markets  for relatively low prices, so I walked into one this Sunday morning hoping to find lobster for Father's day at a price that would not break the bank entirely.

I must have been in luck because I found some down the street from my house for 7.99/lb (a steal for anyone who knows lobster prices), and bought two at roughly $35 per lobster (It was for my dad so I can justify the total splurge).

At four and a quarter pounds per lobster I did not know what I was getting myself into. Typically the best lobsters are no more than 2lbs. These were still pretty tasty but the shells were nearly impossible to break open (We had to use hammers to crack the suckers open!) because they were so big.

It was fun and worth it considering the last time I'd had live lobster was more than 4 years ago, and my dad seemed truly happy to have been able to eat some. (I felt lucky too, and shared with my kid sister because seriously they were too huge not to share!) I don't know when the next time I will be able to spend $80 on lobsters, but I'm glad I did because my dad is certainly worth it after everything he has done for me in my 24 years of life.

xoxo

Siobhain 

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's day to all the fathers out there, especially mine. You are one of my very best friends, a great inspiration, and someone I will always look up to. 

I love you. 

- Siobhain

Scent Style

Mermaid / Bobbi Brown Beach /  Benefit's Maybe Baby / Amazing Grace

Am I the only one who loves to have multiple scents? For years and years I had been wearing Philosophy's Amazing Grace, and still do, but as I've gotten older I feel like I have learned that having fragrances for seasonal/and or special occasions is also a must.

Personally I don't own anything super strong, and these four scents probably have a lot in common (I think at least 3 have bergamot), but here's why I love them:

Mermaid - It's pretty much just as you would expect. Feminine, Ethereal and very floral from the orange blossoms.

Bobbi Brown Beach - Beach screams nostalgia. It's one of my very favorite fragrances because it is so tied to my childhood memories of tropical vacations with the family and I love wearing this scent and have to force myself to switch it up once the warm weather rolls around and it becomes appropriate to wear again. (I do wear it in the winter though because I live in California.. and because it smells great). This one is so very sultry and smells like Jasmine, a sea breeze, and sun tan lotion (but I promise not in a bad way, unless that is, you don't like the smell of sun tan lotion!)

Maybe Baby - I keep this one for date night. It is so flirtatious and it is pretty girly without being too sickly sweet. I have to commend Benefit for the name because it really does smell like the name if that's possible.

And finally, my favorite and staple - Amazing Grace - If you haven't already checked out Amazing Grace I highly recommend it as a daily perfume. It is classy and light enough to wear at work, but it is also so memorable that your significant other, family, and close friends will remember it on you in a really positive way. I love when smells become nostalgic for people.

Do you have a signature scent? 

Cheers!

Siobhain

Strawberry Bruschetta and Mint Iced Tea

My family loves to entertain. I have to admit living at home mostly stinks, but it can be really fun to make food for all the family friends that come over. Sunday nights I can count on a big dinner and lots of people and I usually take charge of appetizers and sides.

This weekend one of our family friends decided to bring ingredients for strawberry bruschetta (which I was originally skeptical about) that actually turned out great and was extremely simple to put together (and I actually highly recommend if you're throwing a dinner party and want an easy app). It was sweet, savory and totally delicious. I only wish I had grabbed the exact proportions for the recipe.

(It mixed cream and bleu cheese on toasted baguette with fresh strawberries and chopped chives).

On top of the easy h'orderves, I love to help my family provide cocktails, or refreshments that would otherwise not be included during dinner. Lately I have been really into making iced mint tea, which is a year round favorite hot or cold.


(To make a pitcher: Steep 4-5 mint tea bags in 1 cup boiled water. Remove bags, set aside (compost, reuse for another batch, or toss) add 1tsp of honey or agave mix and then add water and ice to taste.) 

Phil's Fish Market

One of my favorite places to visit when I go to the coast is Phil's Fish Market in Moss Landing. I can't really describe the euphoria I feel when I walk into Phil's but it's just this little kid before Disney excitement.

My boyfriend's family introduced me to this place on a visit to the coast when we started dating and now we try to make a trip at least once or twice a year for their phenomenal seafood Cioppino (which was actually featured on that one show with Bobby Flay where he tries to make his own better version and of course typically loses out to the hometown favorites).

All of their food is pretty amazing and if the Cioppino weren't so good I'd gladly swap for some fish and chips, but it is, so I don't.

(**As a random side note if you decide to visit Phil's bring an appetite because the portions are large. My boyfriend and I can usually split a 20$ cioppino that comes with salad and garlic bread and feel totally satisfied. You can swap out items if you're not a fan of mussels or scallops or something and replace it with more shrimp or crab which is awesome)

"This is not a fashion show, this is Phil's" - My boyfriend Jon regarding this lovely photo below:

And here's a lonely cup of clam chowder because it's actually really good and we pretty much always get a cup because more than that would be way too much combined with that giant seafood bowl of Cioppino (You can't not get the chowder, I'm pretty sure it's sacrilegious). 

What is your favorite getaway indulgence? 

Cheers! 

Siobhain 

My Favorite Shirt (EVER!) In Action

You guys, blogging is a lot of shameless self promotion…like who really cares what I have to say. I guess I blog because I value my own opinion. I guess that might sound conceited but I'm just being real here. Also I like to share, and I hope you (whoever you are) also values my opnion... also I have little shame.  Also let me apologize in advance for all the squinting in these photos…and the amount of also's I just used and this entire little ramble I've got going on here. 

So Anyways... I posted awhile ago that this Artizia shirt is one of my absolute favorites and I wear this one (and several others) all the time for almost any occasion I can get away with... 99.9% of the time I try to dress for comfort, and this shirt really is just the most comfortable articles out there, not to mention it comes in a bajillion colors… (I own 5....so far…) and it also looks pretty good with just about anything… (Think maxi skirt, jeans, shorts, trousers, bodycon skirts etc.).

                              

                  

Also aren't these shoes just the cutest. I saw them on lulus and could not resist the price! ($21 and worth it!)

Happy Shopping! 

Siobhain

Wilder Ranch National Park

My weekends are crazy sometimes. This weekend in particular was jam packed with things to do. I work 6 days a week including Saturdays, so I really have to make the most of the little time off that I do have which means cramming every activity into Sunday. 

The last few months my boyfriend Jon and I have been particularly lazy not getting anything done until past 2pm on Sundays so we decided this weekend we wanted to make a change and got up at 9 and headed out to Santa Cruz to enjoy this trail that sits on the edge of the coast and is extremely breathtaking. 

It seriously reminds me of how beautiful California is and I feel extremely lucky to be 30-45 minutes away from this place. 

 

Until next weekend...

xo

Siobhain