The Pale-Skin-and-It-Isn't-Even-the-Dead-of-Winter-Yet Blues

The nice thing about being half-Hispanic is that I get a really bitchin' tan in the summer months.  The nice thing about being half-Irish is that I get that cute spray of freckles on my nose during those same summer months (they're real subtle, pretty much perfectly done, if you ask me).  The bad thing about the combination of those two halves is that, in non-friendly-weather months, I start to look like I have some kind of wasting disease, what with the sallowness and the underlying yellow color and my hereditary dark circles.

Having realized that I have, once again, slipped into the clutches of this stage in the year, I put on ridiculous pink lip gloss (Illamasqua's Intense Lipgloss in Petulant) and took some Photo Booth photos.  These fit the bill of me being unable to post a normal picture of myself.  Enjoy.

I was also inspired by the lip color worn in this video over at Vivianna Does Makeup.  Check it out!

Change of Plans

I did just paint my nails, but because my room is so disorganized that I can't find my camera, a style-related post will have to wait until another day.

In other news, I was supposed to do something the other day, but instead I got an idea in my head about doing something else, so I took myself to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in the beautiful city of New York.   And boy, am I glad I did.  You see, in addition to a million other cool things that have been added and revamped since the last time I paid the Met a visit, the Galleries for the Art of the Arab Lands, Turkey, Iran, Central Asia, and Later South Asia (and yes, the Met does use the Oxford comma, bitch) were finally opened in November after 8 years.

It's not like I was waiting for this moment with bated breath, but upon learning of something new and exciting to see, I took myself and my extremely poor footwear choice for the day up to the second floor, where I was greeted by objects and artworks that made me feel really positive about geometry.  If only my math teachers could have been so inspirational. 

Because this was an impromptu activity, and my room was in much the same state of cleanliness as it is right now, I didn't have my camera, but I did have my cell phone, so some quick snapshots will have to suffice.

I'll take two.

Prayer niche

This is a ceiling.  That someone made.

This rug might be literally a thousand years old (Can't say I read the placard too closely, but it was a damn fine rug.).

So if you have the opportunity, I would highly encourage you to go check out the collections.  There's so much to see, I could have stayed until closing and not gotten to everything, which is kind of part of the fun.  I find that accepting that fact helps me enjoy what I do get to see even more.  The coolest thing is that you're looking at things that someone had a relationship to hundreds of years before anyone could have guess that "#mixedgirlproblems" has a meaning.  Or that I would be blogging about prayer niches.

It's a crazy world.

I'm pretty sure I just ate something that wasn't food.

Shall we ignore the fact that I've been gone for months?  Yes, let's.

On Friday, I celebrated my 23rd birthday.  I feel ambivalent about this.  Edit: It was also Nina's birthday, for those of you who are unfamiliar with how being a twin works.  BUT, I did get new clothes, so there is actually some hope for my return.  Speaking of internet presence, quick question: if I were to get a twitter, what should my handle be?  Is that what it's called?  A "handle"?  The kids these days, with their newfangled hashtags and whatnot.

I leave you all with this.  Stay fresh.

W(h)ine

Okay, so I have this problem where I love Rachel Zoe.  I say it's a problem because the similarities between our lives are non-existent.  I challenge you to name one (other than that we are both women, because that is stupid, cheaters).  I love her show, I love her sass, and I love the clothes she designed, as did everybody else, as you may have noticed.

Am I politely overlooking the fact that she's thinner than I can possibly comprehend?  Yes, yes I am.  And you might be asking yourself, "Why, Harris, why are you looking past such a thing, even as you sit getting popcorn butter all over your keyboard while you're typing this?"  Well, I'll tell you, friends...


Rachel Zoe is making me want to wear my fingernails shorter.

I KNOW.  It's hard to fathom.  We all know, at this point, that I love painting my nails more than is healthy for someone who (allegedly) has friends.  But it is precisely because of nail polish that I want to wear them shorter.  Watching her show, I see her short, but still elegant, nails, covered in the most beautiful red wine nail polish and I WANT THAT FOR ME.

Seriously, does anybody know what polish it is?  Or can anyone recommend some colors that could help me approximate my burning desire to emulate Rachel in this one small facet of my life?

Photo via

PLEASE.  HELP.

Also, popcorn is a delicious treat, you should really all go have some right now.

Go Wild(cats)

Y'all, I got to go to the Bronx Zoo on Saturday!  My best friend came down from Boston for the weekend and I went with her and her family to see all the wonderful animals.  I even got to see feeding time for the sea lions!  They are my favorite and I always miss feeding time and it was magical that I finally got to see it.  I felt like I was 10 years old again (except in a good, nostalgic way, not like how I actually felt when I was ten).

This is what I wore:

Because it was a Saturday and Northwestern was going to play Michigan and I rep my school hard (even though I don't go there any more :/).  But also, how cute is that shirt!  I love the way it fits, and it's just the right cross between sweatshirt and t-shirt material.  Perfect for a sunny fall day!  I try not to congratulate a company led by someone so skeevy, but good work American Apparel.  Good work.

Custom American Apparel shirt

Gap skirt

Banana Republic necklace

Louis Vuitton bag

I used that picture because it was the only one I took.  Apparently, I still don't have my blogging priorities in order.  You can find the shirt here, but I'm telling you right now, I don't know if I would go for it at that price.  Or rather, it would pain me that I couldn't go for it, since I can barely afford to wash my clothes, let alone buy new ones.  We're not going to talk about the football game, because it did not go well.  Instead, creatures!

Lemur!

HE WAS SO GREAT.  Just soaking up the sun.

I know, bad picture, but it's called a fossa, look it up.

Last, but certainly not least, (former) Roommate Sammy was featured on a Chicago street style blog called Layers on Friday!  Check out the post here.  Doesn't she look totally chic?  Way to soak in those last few rays of sun before the terrifying winter sets in, girl.

Look forward to a post about Rachel Zoe, I been keeping up with that crazy lady and her style is relentlessly working its way into every crevice of my brain!

Devotedly (ha!),
Harris

I'm a grown-ass woman.

Well, ladies (and gentlemen?), I have to say, the reason for my extended absence this time is slightly more exciting than all those times this summer when I would disappear for long stretches of time.  This time, it's because (drumroll please)...

I GOT A JOB.  I'm part of a touring company that does educational shows in elementary schools around New Jersey.  It's been really crazy trying to learn all the material and going out to schools at the same time, all while finishing up a show at home that has me commuting back and forth, but it's been super exciting, and they've given me free housing, so I'm now Stranded in Chicago Little Silver Beach Haven.

I just wanted to let y'all know about that, and know that my schedule is going to be a little crazy, but I really am hoping to get back into the swing of things with my blog.  I really do miss it, and I hope I can find a way to make a little more time for it.  In the meantime, I'd like to share some pictures I snagged with my phone as my life became progressively more hectic, so here you go!

Real life.

Essie "Tart Deco"

Count Basie Theatre, Red Bank, NJ

Count Basie Theatre

You love that wig, right?  Also, Brielle is going to be upset I posted this picture.

Inexplicably, I ended up seeing a number of horse drawn coaches.

See you soon!
Harris

I found this post that I thought I published like, two weeks ago...

Oops.  My bad.  Well, here you go:

I was listening to the radio yesterday morning, and they were interviewing makeup guru Bobbi Brown, which got me thinking about her philosophy and her products in general.  Later in the day, I got an e-mail advertising her new blog, EverythingBobbi.com, so I thought I would check it out.

I find the catchphrase a little cheesy, but other than that, it seems like a it has a lot of potential, and I can't pass up makeup tips from Bobbi Brown.  I definitely aspire to the natural look she promotes (although, of course, I also love me some wild NARS looks), so I know I'll be checking back in there to see if I can learn anything new.

What do you go for when you put your makeup on in the morning?

Virtually Perfect

In honor of the start of online ordering here in the US from Zara's website, I thought I'd share some of my favorite pieces from what's currently featured on the site.

One, Two

One, Two

One, Two

One, Two, Three

Chic and classy, as always. What I love about Zara in the fall is that they have really nice, classy pieces that you can accessorize and style in a million different ways.  You've all seen my favorite blazer, which was a Fall '10 purchase, and it transitions beautifully between fall, winter, and spring.  I do encourage those who have never shopped as Zara before to find a brick and mortar store first to try some things on, as the sizing tends to be more on the European side of things, and it can be a little tricky at first to match up what actually fits. If you absolutely can't make it to a store, they have a 30 day return policy with full refunds, so you should be able to figure it out pretty easily.

Good luck and happy shopping!

Fair Weather

On Saturday night, after a long day slaving away at my job, I went with my mother, my aunt, and my mother's oldest friend to the annual Fireman's Fair in the town just next to mine.  We finally made it to the seafood dinner they serve there, and I was not disappointed.  I had fried clams, fried flounder, fried scallops, regular shrimp (just kidding, they were fried, too), and it was all deeeeee-licious.  Even though the arrival of the fair means the end of summer, I always enjoy it and the early fall weather it seems to bring with it.

One of two rides I went on.  I screamed.

The Zipper, possibly my least favorite ride of all time.

A snow cone is the fastest way to my heart.  Take note.

The other ride I went on, always a classic, always higher than I expect.

I love to see all the bright lights and watch the little kids screaming as they beg their parents to take them on one more ride.  Brings me back to the good ol' days (which were like a hot second ago, if you think about it).  I don't know what ends summer for you all, but this is definitely it for me.  Sure the beach club is open for one more week, but the end of the fair still means goodbye to summer to me, as I'm sure it always will.  See you next year, my fair weather friend.

Whooooo's excited about Lilly?

As some of you may know, I joined a sorority while I was in college, and this past spring I was thrilled to hear that Lilly Pulitzer was going to be adding some organizations to their collection of Greek prints.  Naturally, the unstoppable forces of my sisters around the country landed our group in the top five, and they just released the designs this week.  Without further ado...

Guuuuyyyyyyssss, the Chi O one is my favorite!  Since our colors are cardinal and straw, when I found out we were getting a print, I said to myself, "Gee, I hope the colors they use are lemonade and pink lemonade," AND THEY DID I AM MAGICAL AND PSYCHIC (alternate theory: I grew up in an area with a lot of Lilly Pulitzer and their palette has seeped into my brain.)  I also really like the one for ADPi, I think it would look terrific on a beach tote.  I can't wait to see the products they make!  I hope a make-up bag is one of them, they're so cute and I'm in need of one!

I was reading a bunch of comments on the announcement for this on facebook, and there seems to be a general dissatisfaction with the DG print. I'm inclined to agree that it's not quite up to par with the other new prints or the four original sorority prints (KD, DZ, Kappa, and Tri-Delt).  As many on that post noted, you would think they would have done the best with that one, with the anchors and all, but I think the sharp angles they used make it look a little frenetic in a way that really doesn't fit with the overall Lilly image.

What do you think?  Which is your favorite?  Do you not give a shit because you're a GDI?  That's what I thought.  (Jk, I love you anyway.)

P.S. This is what I was listening to while I wrote this post.

THIS IS INCONVENIENT

I can't update this the way I want to because the blogger app sucks and my internet got knocked out in the storm, but the new Lilly Pulitzer sorority prints are out and I AM SO EXCITED. More on that aaaaand a hurricane post when I get my internet back and can use a real computer.

Oh, dear!

That title was my placeholder when I was going to make this entry about how I've been home for two months exactly and I still haven't managed to find a new, more appropriate name for my web catalog of musings...little did I know how appropriate it would become!  You see above a picture of where I was sitting when I felt the earthquake today!  (Yes, those are my little toesies.)

Honestly, I have to admit, I was kind of pleased by the earthquake, it seeming to me not to be terribly severe, since I had to ask myself if it wasn't just the wind shaking my chair.  My joy is borne of the fact that the two earthquakes that hit the Chicago area while I was in school both failed to wake me from what was apparently very heavy slumber.

I do not, of course, take lightly the effects and earthquake can have, and my heart still goes out to the people of Japan and Haiti.

Happy Tuesday,
Harris

I'm baking my way into Fall.

You'll notice that I made up for doing two posts in one day by casually going ten days between posts.  I really feel like you guys -- if there are any of you left -- have become familiar with the sweet taste of neglect this summer.  So perhaps you won't mind that my cooking seems to be veering into fall territory.  My former (nooooooo) roommate Kelsey made these pumpkin muffins at the end of school when I was sick and I found them immensely comforting, although I, being the strange woman I am, had to beg her to leave chocolate chips out of some of the muffins since it's not my favorite thing.  Whatever, shut up.  She made them from this Smitten Kitchen recipe, but I'm gonna write it down for you here the way I did it, because I made some mistakes, and I kind of like the result better.

Pumpkin Pie Muffins
Adapted from Smitten Kitchen

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 1/4 cups sugar
1 15-ounce can of pumpkin pie filling
1/3 cup vegetable oil
2 large eggs
1/2 teaspoon allspice
1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt



Preheat oven to 350° F.  Spray nonstick cooking spray on muffin cups (you can also grease them with butter, but I found it easier to just use PAM).

In a medium bowl, whisk together baking powder and flour.  Set aside.

In a large bowl, whisk together pumpkin pie filling, vegetable oil, eggs, allspice, cinnamon, sugar, baking soda, and salt until smooth.  Then, add flour mixture and whisk until just combined.

Spoon batter into muffin cups until 3/4 full.  Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.  Cool muffins for 5 minutes in muffin tin, then remove and cool on rack.

I realize now that I used approximately twice as much pumpkin stuff as the original recipe called for, but I don't care because mine do not taste overly pumpkin-y and they have a delicious texture.  Now, this is the second time I've made these, and the first time I accidentally left out the baking powder, which resulted in a much denser goodie.  While the ones I made today are definitely more muffin-like in nature, I personally enjoyed the first round, and would encourage the absence of baking powder as a welcome variation if you so chose.

I die.

I know what you're thinking, "Shut the fuck up, two posts in one day?"  Yes, in one foul swoop, I've broken some of my blog malaise and make this blog child-unfriendly.  BUT, the e-mail I got on my phone this morning that woke me up earlier than I wanted to be awake informed me that Rachel Zoe's collection is live on Piperlime.  Here are some of my favorites from what they're showing.

Cheryl Asymmetrical Coat

Melissa Handbag

Elizabeth Dress

Can I afford any of it?  Absolutely not, but I can barely afford my own spit at this point.  The designs seem pretty accessible though, which is nice since they could easily have gone the route of only fitting human hangers like Rachel Zoe (damn, Harris, "human hangers" twice in one week?  For shame.).  Bravooooooo, bring me a new season of The Rachel Zoe Project so I can look at pretty clothes and that crazy, trendy woman!  Pleeeeeeeeeeease!

Blue with Envy

So I awoke the other day to find this gem sitting in my e-mail inbox.

The NARS Fall 2011 collection has arrived!  NARS e-mails are the only ones I allow to come into my inbox with the images already displayed because they're sooooooooooo prettttttttyyyyyy.  I sauntered my way on over to the website to peruse the collection (because let's face it, I couldn't stop at this picture, I'm not about to slather that much --or any -- blue eyeshadow on without supervision), and there's a couple of items I'd like to give a spin at the make-up counter.  In particular, the lip gloss in Oasis looks super fun and the matte lipstick in Mascate seems like it could pack quite a punch on the red lipwear front.

Even though I hate to see summer go, I love all the rich fall colors that are starting to show up, and I'm excited to be able to look nice without sweating my skin off.  Am I the only one thrilled to see new fall makeup and looking forward to changing leaves?