I struggle with adult hormonal acne.  FYI.  As a result, I end up wearing a lot more makeup (foundation) than I probably need to, because I’m constantly battling red and ruddy skin.  Being fair-of-skin is no joke – it often means your skin is prone to rosacea and the resulting blushing, scaliness, and red patches.  It also often means your skin is super sensitive, and will react if you even THINK about putting product on it.  BOO!  Being “old enough to know better”, I had hoped this would go away, but I know that I need to be proactive in treating it.

While we’re working on the hormones and regimen that will make my skin pretty again, I’ve found a seemingly magical remedy for those big, deep, bad-boys that pop up under your skin.  It’s calming, and soothing, while drying out pimples (but not overly-drying my skin).  What is it??

Lavender Oil. 

It started when we took a little trip out to the San Juans – specifically, Friday Harbor. On the island there’s a little place called the Pelindaba Lavender Farm. I’d been recommended a trip there by a friend and since I love the smell of lavender, I picked up a little roller bottle of lavender oil (to be used as perfume, or whatever), and a spray bottle of lavender body mist (AKA: Floral water or hydrosol; basically just the oil mixed with a binder and water).

Lavender Body Mist from Pelindaba Lavender Farm

There was a little card attached to the body mist that said, “Use as a general body fragrance, as well as to rehydrate dry skin, cool sunburn, and soothe minor irritations.  For a special summertime treat, keep cold and use as a facial refresher.”

Of course, it had been hot and sticky, so as I was going to bed, I sprayed some of this mist on my face – hoping it would a) be refreshing and b) would have magical powers.  I patted it in, after my moisturizer and went to bed.

In the morning I woke up and the giant pimple on my chin, that had been there for the last week had dramatically subsided.  In the interest of science (kinda) I decided to continue this same remedy the next night.  By the morning of day 2, the blemish was almost gone – and with none of the ill effects of slathering crazy chemicals on my face, trying to beat it down.

I’ve tried this again since then.  Once a big ol’ zit pops up on my face (usually just a large red lump), I squirt a little of the lavender water on a cotton pad, swish it all over the area, and wait  (after cleansing of course).  By the next morning the lump is almost gone and doesn’t hurt anymore.  If it’s a really bad blemish, I’ll put a little of the full strength oil on my fingertip and pat it into the bump.

I did a little research on the stuff and found out that the reviewers at Makeup Alley LOVE lavender oil for this same reason – giving it a 4.6 out of 5 for facial treatments.  The research I found noted that lavender is one of the gentlest essential oils – one of the only oils that can be put on the skin, undiluted, with very few negative side effects.  It’s both antiseptic and anti-inflammatory. It can be applied neat on acne or bug bites – which works really well if you’re like me, and are super allergic to bug bites. For spot treatment, just dab a little bit on with a finger, or q-tip.  For larger areas, mix a drop or two of lavender oil with a little bit of lotion, and rub that shit in!

I’m not doing anything different in my routine than I have been doing – the other products I like to use are Lush’s Aquamarina (cleanser), Dermalogica Microfoliant (exfoliant), and DDF’s Moisturizing Dew (moisturizer).  I generally use tinted moisturizer by Smashbox during the day, although sometimes my skin calls for something a little heavier – like a powder foundation.  We’ll see how well this remedy continues to work.

Have you ever tried lavender as a facial treatment?  Did it work?  Did it give you hives?  Let us know in the comments!

After 6 hours in Brooklyn I was ready to move.  It won’t happen any time soon, but a girl can dream, right?  I already have a few favorite places, and despite the SWELTERING HEAT, I’d say, “Girl, you’re alright with me!”

First things first – packing for NYC in June.

It’s been hot as hell here.  For real.

Best idea?  Collared Slouchy Tunic from Bellatrix (Nordstrom) -  It hit like 97 the second day I was really *here*. And it was awful. But I felt cuter than I would have with just a cotton tank on – I layered this over one of my Spun tanks for instant cool.  It was kind of nice because you couldn’t tell that I felt like swamp-thing underneath (read:  did your antiperspirant give up? Don’t say anything and nobody will ever know!).

My first mistake was this:  I looked at the same style top in natural fabric – silk.  I chose this top for the style, but I wished I had gotten the natural fabric for how hot it was.  I’m not sure it would have made a difference, though.

My second mistake was: TOO MUCH VOLUME!  Not really thinking, I paired it with a black cotton maxi skirt, but I bought the top in a larger size than I probably needed – for volume – and I didn’t belt it.  Not accessorizing it turned the entire outfit into a giant black/white column.

I’m sure it looked fine in person, but it didn’t photograph well.  Oops.  Note to self.

My third outfit mistake:  The pavement here gets hot.  And I wore sandals.  I found out what happens when your thin-soled, gladiator style sandals hit the hot pavement – the heat seeps through.  Cute?  Yes.  Practical?  No.  I ended up with hot spots on the bottoms of my feet (nothing a good sit, a drink, and some AC couldn’t fix).

I rate this outfit – cute, but needs improvement.  But what do I know?  What do you think?

Detail - Collared Slouchy Tunic from Bellatrix (Nordstrom), Black cotton maxi skirt (Nordstrom), White Sandals (AE).  Cleves Ring (Wendy Brandes), Black and white geometric wood + resin bracelet (Paloma Picasso for Tiffany’s), Oversized sunglasses (Michael Kors), Bombata classic laptop case, Straw boater hat with chiffon flower (Brooklyn souvenir!).

Oh hi guys!

Recently, I had a note from the reps for Tiffany’s saying that the company has launched a new style in an alloy called “Rubedo”.  I’ve been seeing this line all over the place – especially on campus (where I should be documenting all the fun style I’m seeing…)

But the thing that intrigued me about Rubedo wasn’t the new styles (though… OH WOW.  I love some of the larger pieces) or the color (it’s really pretty) but the makers marks they’ve included on all the pieces.  I’m a sucker for detail – especially vintage detail – and this year, for their 175th anniversary they’ve included Tiffany’s signature on their 1837 designs.  How cool, right?!

The bangles are beautiful… and they have the locks that have been super popular in the last couple years.  The piece I’ve been seeing the most is this 1837 ring – both in this large width and in a standard width.  And I don’t know what it is about this rosy colored metal, but I like it (and I’m usually such a silver/platinum girl).

But this piece – the large cluster necklace was a showstopper!

And of course – I tried them on.  The rep that I talked to mentioned that generally, bangles don’t fit every girl.  However, if you’re like me, and your hands are pretty slim, you’ll probably be able to wear the Tiffany’s bangles, since they come in Small, Medium and Large.  As a girl with slimmer hands, I found that these bangles don’t slide down over your hand (which can really hurt!).  I like that they stay mostly on my wrist instead of creeping down my arm…

I really love the amazing detail – especially with the signature, since makers marks have always been fascinating to me.

Find out more about Rubedo at Tiffanys.com.

Disclosure: Nope!  No gifts from Tiffany’s here – but I did get to go try on fancy jewelry, and I DO really like this collection.  

Oh hey there, you doll, you!

You may have noticed the design change, ’round these parts.  I’m super excited to have cleaned up, cleared out and completely revamped my site.  Here’s une petite update in photos!  Voilà!

Denny Hall

As you  may know, I’ve been in school, so my blog has been pushed to the wayside – but as the 20111-2012 school year comes to a close, I’ve got a little more free time to blog and do the things I love to do!

Berry! Thanks to Scarlet at Radar Hair and Records!

This past 9 months has been an amazing journey, meeting awesome people, gettin’ my know on, and enjoying the student life!  I’ve also been doing a LOT of great work with the Rory Martin Web Design + Social  Media Marketing crew…

I painted the entire interior of our new house and then moved into it!, went on vacation (Houston, San Antonio, Corpus Christi, Reno), watched my little sister get married, I bought a Memento Mori ring from Wendy Brandes, I put together a good amount of Ikea furniture, helped Kimberlee of Deco Modiste age some Victorian-style dresses…

In that time I radically changed my hair color (I took the plunge to a full head of shocking raspberry locks).  I’ve changed my personal aesthetic.  I’ve been getting into shape – skiing, riding horses, and riding my bicycle!

Rex and I

I went to Alefest with my pretty friends and dressed up in dirndls!!

Alefest! Kitty, Birdie, Lola and Mitsy!

Here’s a photo of my trusty steed – after she had a new paint job and a full tune up!

Bicycle

I planted a garden, I read several books – including a novel in French!  I made Dean’s list for two quarters straight (and am crossing my fingers for a third).

Wonderland Caterpillar

And the fun’s not over.  This summer will be the best – trips to NYC, and Boston, weddings galore (love! celebrate!), camping and a trip to the hot springs!

What have you been up to?  Tell me, tell me!

"Why won't my suitcase close!?"

I know I’m not the only person who’s got travel plans for this summer, and with travel plans come great big bags and hefty baggage fees.  In order to avoid those fees, I’ve figured out a few tricks to packing light for any occasion and still look amazing.

1. Plan it out. Know where you’re going.  Know what you absolutely need.

Example: You’re going to Vegas for a weekend with the girlies.  I know this means you want to sport a different outfit every night, BUT consider this:  When you come home, everything is going to smell like the inside of a casino.  So pack accordingly.  Bring things you can mix and match, that easily go from day to night and you’ll have no problem.  Also, bring one extra outfit to travel in, so you don’t have to stew in that stink for the entire ride home.  Hell, you could even skip the day clothes for the most part because all you really need is a swimsuit and a light cover up, right?

Planning it out lets you figure out how many days/activities you need clothes for, and where you can pare down on one or two things.  And having a list of the outfits you’re going to pack means you can coordinate your kicks so that you pack the most optimal pair that you can wear all the time (or pairs, cos I often bring a pair of sandals too).

2. Keep it Simple.  Add pieces you can coordinate, like a couple lightweight solid tees.  They don’t necessarily need to be neutral, but they do need to be things that you can dress up or dress down according to your destination.

Example:  During my London trip, I had a stash of tees (a couple bright, a couple neutral) that could be worn with pants or skirts.  When we went to explore, I wore skinnies and tees with a blazer and flats.  When we went out dancing, I paired that same outfit with fun jewelry and outrageous shoes.  In the blog-world you hear so much about how you can dress up jeans and a tee, or dress down – I took that to heart when packing, knowing that staple items look good either way.  And since tees are knits, they’ll resist wrinkles and roll up nicely into your luggage.

Example 2:  A thing I read recently said bring along summery high-waisted skirts.  The author mentioned that she loved local t-shirts when traveling, and ended up wearing them tucked into skirts to make the tees less “tourist” and more like a fashion statement.  I kind of liked that idea – you get a souvenir and a stylish addition all in one.  Of course, pack accordingly if you plan to purchase local.

In the same vein, if you plan on going out, an easy “day to night” dress simplifies everything when packing. Opt for a dress you can put on for the beach or your daytime activities, then throw a blazer or cardigan over it to wear to dinner.  The same goes for your makeup – if I’m taking my makeup, I usually pick one eye palette, one eyeliner, foundation and a translucent powder (if it’s summer, maybe bronzer), and then I get creative with that combination.  One of the reasons I like buying pre-made eye palettes is that I can do that.  I can take one set, and run with it.  Think what will transition from day to night.

3.  If you want to get wild, go with accessories. Use pieces like headbands, scarves, necklaces and earrings to instantly change the mood of an outfit.  Accessories take up little space in your suitcase and when packed in zipper bags, can be stuffed into your extra pair of shoes.  They’re your key to dressing up outfits, and adding a little “flair”.  The great thing is – accessories are easy purchases wherever you are.  They’ll have awesome souvenir value, you’ll use them over and over, and they’re easy to pack into your luggage to take home.  I loooove the sunglasses I got in London (a late birthday present from my friend Sean) – I wear them all the time, and they were so easy to pack in and out.

Also, treat your bag like an accessory. I often pack a small purse inside a larger tote bag.  The small purse holds my wallet, glasses, keys, phone – and can be pulled out at a moment’s notice. It also doubles as a lightweight handbag/clutch when needed and the larger tote can be used as a beach bag or shopper.

4.  Shopping while you’re there:  If you’re going to do it, go unique.  My #1 rule of thumb is this: If I can buy it at home, why should I buy it in another country – UNLESS it is a necessary item that I cannot live without until I get home.

For example, say you forgot socks – go ahead and buy the cutest pair you find.  But say I walked by an H&M – I’m not going to shop there, because there’s one down the hill from my apartment.  When I shop, while I’m out, I will look for fun jewelry, goofy tourist tees to pair with cute outfits, etc.  And unless I’m in town only to shop, I’m not going to be making purchases that I could otherwise make at home.  Know why?  If you’re out of the country, you’ve got transaction fees and exchange rates to think about.  If I’m in the next state over – well, I don’t really need it that bad, do I?  Because it’s going to be a beast to bring back home in an already-stuffed suitcase.  I also have more money to do things (not own things) while I’m on vacation.  You know, they say people appreciate experience more than belongings.  Don’t get me wrong – I like belongings, but I can see the wisdom in saving my pennies for fun adventures.

Got any more summer travel tips – packing or otherwise?  Share ‘em here!

It’s been a whirlwind year already.  I look back at goals I had set for myself and miraculously watch as they’re each ticked off the list.  This year has been like a lesson in personal manifestation – the more tuned-in you are to your goals, the more you work consciously and subconsciously to achieve them.

This year I got the boot from my “safe” job that was slowly wearing away at my nerves.  This was probably the best gift-in-disguise I’d ever received.  I felt safe, and totally relied on the paychecks that came in on the regular.  I had motivation to leave, but I didn’t have the cojones.  You know when you are stuck in a rut and there’s reason to leave but you’re afraid to take that plunge?  That was me.  When it did happen, I packed up my things, walked out to my car and did a Saved-By-The-Bell-style, jump and “Woohooo!”  I never thought I’d be so relieved to be laid off (for “restructuring” apparently…)

This year I found a new job doing work that I love, and inevitably find myself doing.  I work with a Web Design, SEO and Social Media company: RoryMartin.com.  I’m their Campaign Genius (that’s what my cards say) and we specialize in thinking outside the box.  Being able to creatively think about the work I have is a huge bonus, and everyone I work with is incredibly cool. Oh and did I mention I get to work from the comfort of my own office, write creatively every day and set my own hours?  Productivity is bliss!

Oh and I got into school!  The pursuit of that magic piece of paper from an esteemed university somewhere has been my goal for… well… ages.  I’m a brain.  I like learning stuff and I finally felt it was a good time to get with it.  I hadn’t previously, because former job frowned on my educational goals.  For real.  Like they told me I could not work and go to school (nevermind that I’ve been taking evening classes for like 3 years).  I was pretty appalled that they’d tell me I couldn’t go to school – most employers are thrilled because they can mold your education to their needs. So I put in an application at UW (hard school to get into) and they laid me off, and then last Friday I got the acceptance letter.  I’ll be studying French (something I love) at an amazing school.  And my new employer is totally stoked for me.

Other goals have been connecting and maintaining relationships with amazing people and making sure Deco Modiste is off to a good start.  It’s amazing to watch all this stuff just fall into place.  I generally don’t give a whole lot of credit to magical manifestation, but I really feel like when you want something badly enough, your whole being goes into overdrive to get there (whether you realize it or not).

Little things are: Being more creative about my ensembles.  Attending fun events like Haute Summer Night and the Body Shop Honey Bronze event (more on that soon).  Learning from those with experience.  Gym-related endorphins.  Being able to walk the pup around the neighborhood in the sun.  Buying my ever-coveted white Chanel sunglasses (COVETCOVET).  Summer travels.  Gettin’ shit done!

How are your goals for the year going (so far)?  Is there anything you want to achieve in the next 6 months?  I’d love to hear about it

This is probably the cutest thing I’ve seen all day! Special thanks to David the Majestic and Beautiful Laura of Birdie Royale Adornments. The music is Ondulé by Mathieu Boogaerts. I love this video so much – and we had such a great time shooting photo and filming! Yay!

Thanks again to Laura and David (especially since Laura was one of our models too!), to Gorgeous Kirsten for being one of our models, to Mitsy for modeling, and to Kimberlee of Deco Modiste for designing all the clothing and for letting us raid her house. More photos will come, eventually… Stay tuned!

PS – Don’t forget to enter the Haute Summer Night Fashion Event Giveaway! There are only a few entries so you have a very good chance of winning. Please, and Thank you! xoxo.

After what seems like forever, I finally met up with Kimberlee of Deco Modiste to talk about the Deco Modiste Spring/Summer 2011 photos that we had yet to take.  We’ve been sitting on our Spring/Summer looks for this year since the weather here has been so uncooperative.  But the styles have been in stores for a month or two, and we wanted to show you a preview of the items we’d feature at the Velouria Trunk Show, this coming Saturday.  So we brought 3 of the prettiest girls we know down to the Deco Modiste studio, and got to work.  I’ve been working on these and a couple other weighty shoots for a while, which means I’ve forgotten to blog…

But for all you Seattle gals – mark your calendar for Saturday at 6, and meet us at Velouria in Ballard.

SO!  Without too much babbling, let’s just get to the photos.

What do you think?  Like the new styles?

Last Friday, my good friend Mitzi invited me to the Nordstrom Spring Fragrance Festival.  It’s an amazing event – she promised me – with bubbles and snacks and all your favorite scents.  You try, and buy, and usually get a big bag of samples while you’re there.  Of course, it sounded like an interesting event and I had a couple scents in mind that I wanted to try, so I dolled up and hit the town.

I found out that there are a few rules when attending this event that one might follow if one is so inclined… Actually, we made these rules up for giggles (why so serious!?).

Fragrance Festival Rule One – you pay $25 to be there.  Therefore, we decided it’s equitable to drink at least 5 drinks and taste every snack that comes around to break even – even the rhubarb pastries.  (I don’t generally eat rhubarb, but these were pretty good.)  By the end of the night you’ll be having a hilarious time with the lady you met in the bathroom who totally just bought the Dior scent you’re wearing.  Or you could just purchase a yummy new scent and get your money back on the purchase!  Everybody wins.

Fragrance Festival Rule Two – Make best friends with the ultra stylish, very awesome guy who’s working the Chanel table – he has the hook up.  While they have the best scents, they don’t always offer gifts with purchase.  But because your Chanel guy is a sweetie, he may slip a trial size Chanel Rouge Coco lip color in Mademoiselle into your shopping bag if you pick up a bottle of N^o 5.  This is my new favorite lip color.  OH and did you know that the French government reports that a bottle of Chanel N^o 5 is sold every thirty seconds and generates sales of $100 million a year?  Also, he might let you set your bags down while you go retrieve another drink from the bar.

Fragrance Festival Rule Three – Are you a blogger?  Did you bring your camera?  Leave it in your bag.  I took ONE lousy photo.  LOUSY.  The lighting is no good… But the film grain on the Chanel bottles looks romantic, right? Trust me, don’t even try.  However, do carry cards because there are a million billion interesting people to talk to.  Also, you’re more interesting when you’ve got a drink in hand, right?  You know the bar is free?  (And it’s nice to discreetly tip your bartender).

I made this photo extra small so you couldn’t see the horrible lighting/graininess of the photo.

Fragrance Festival Rule Four – Try and buy.  But try it on a card… or spritzed in the air or… anywhere not on your bod. Trust me, if I had let them actually spritz me I might have hurled after about 10 minutes.  There’s a LOT of fragrance in that little room and you don’t want to spray something on you that might turn sour in an hour.  Oh, and if you think you like it?  Just put it in your bag (along with all the samples and free gifts).  You can sort it out later when you’re a little buzzed and trying to add up just how much cash that bag of pretty bottles is going to cost.

Fragrance Festival Rule Four… The Sequel – The one thing you DO want is that bag with the Donna Karan Cashmere deodorant in it because it’s hot, and you’ve been drinking, and I felt the need for an emergency application about halfway through the night.  I know nobody will notice, because you’re in a room full of perfume, but peace of mind is priceless.

Fragrance Festival Rule Five – Bartering… that might work?  Maybe if I retrieve a drink from the bar for this nice lady standing next to the Gucci table….

Rule Six – You’re never going to be able to use all the little samples you got, so share them with your friends!  Mitzi hands them out at parties (and I’m in the process of giving a bunch away).  Sending out gifts?  Great addition if you know someone’s signature scent.

So, tell me – whats your favorite scent?

“… A new dress doesn’t get you anywhere, it’s the life you’re living in the dress… the sort of life you had before, and what you will do in it later.”

Diana Vreeland was a wise woman with those words.  Wiser still was the realization that I CAN turn summer dresses into wintry spring wear, with very little effort.  And you can go out, laze around in the park with your dog, have fun lunch adventures, and the world will smile as you walk by because you’re a fresh breath of air in a cute summer dress.

So here’s how you do it.  Toss on some leggings under a little white ruffled tank dress.  Throw on a cute sweater with covered buttons… Put on a light colored boxy jacket, to offset the rest of your bodycon outfit.  Wear big sparkly jewels, and cute heels.

And voilà!

What I wore to lunch with my friend David, and then later to get smoothies and hang out in the park talking about how people should meet people in real life….

• Leggings – American Apparel
• Symphony Pumps – Miz Mooz
• Little white ruffle dress – H&M
• Gray covered-button Cardigan – LOFT
• Little gray boxy wool Jacket – Thrifted (a gift from Deco Modiste)
• Various rings – Thrifted
• Sparkly heart necklace – Tarina Tarantino (LOOOVE!)

I think it turned out well, and it’s a great way to turn any summer dress into something you can wear right now.   It’s also a great outfit to do the Charleston in your livingroom…

Favorite outfit photo?? Maybe!

Who doesn’t get dressed up to dance around in their livingroom?    What’s your favorite way to wear your summer dresses in the still-winter weather?