Stuff I Love: CoTZ Face Sunscreen!

Picture courtesy of www.Drugstore.com

  As any true ginger who loves her skin will tell you, sunscreen isn't just for the summer.  It's part of the daily routine to keep the freckles and hyper-pigmentation from making you look like a leopard.  I have tried nearly every sunscreen I could get my hands on and I spent years working in a spa and online beauty store, so I had a lot of options. I always ran into the usual issues; greasiness, chalkiness, didn't absorb well, or it smelled like sunscreen.  I don't mind the typical sunscreen smell when I'm at the beach or it's the middle of summer.  But there is just something strange about smelling like sunscreen in December.

  I received a free sample of CoTZ Face (natural skin tone) and I fell in love immediately!  First of all, the texture is divine, it's silky soft and easy to apply.  There is no greasiness or waiting for it to absorb, so you can put your make-up on right away.  Then there is the smell, it is so mild as soon as you apply it to the skin, it's gone.  The one I am using is the natural skin tone and upon first inspection I thought the color might be too dark for my fair skin, but it blended perfectly.  I've applied it to my boyfriends more olive skin tone and it wasn't a problem for him either.

  You want to know the best part?  It isn't expensive, it retails for less the $20.  The tubes aren't huge, but they last for months and they are easy to travel with.  It's definitely become one of my staples in my make-up bag.
 

Photo Summary of the Last Year

One of my 2013 goals was to start blogging again and somehow it's June and I haven't written anything.  For shame!  In my defense, there's been a lot going on in my life.

So let's do a quick recap of what has happened since my last blog post....

I met Track while on a trip out of the country.  

We started traveling between Redding and San Francisco to see each other.  

We went on a trip to Tulum, Mexico.  

Which I had been dreaming about doing for years. 

Photo courtesy of www.geektreks.com

Then I moved to San Francisco to be closer to him.  

Photo courtesy of www.seed100.com

 I got an awesome job in the financial district, 

right across from the Transamerica building.

Photo courtesy of www.hookedonhouses.net

Then I moved into this building (minus the ivy).  It's got incredible views and I've got two closets in my room, unheard of in the city.   I am in love with this place and am in full nesting mode at the moment.

This just scratches the surface of everything that has happened, but now you are basically caught up and you got to miss out on the awkward transitional periods.  You're welcome!  I am excited to start writing again and I've got a lot of new topics I want to dive into.  

         

February Photoshoot

 

www.taylormccutchan.com


Photographer: Taylor McCutchan
Model: Willow Brook
MUA: Jen Siqueiros
Hair: Tricia Davidge


Couldn't wait to share a few pics from the photo shoot earlier this week.  I'm so excited, can't wait to see the rest.  Had a blast working with this team of people.


*Clicking on any of their names will take you to their facebook pages so you can check out their other work. 

Copper Quartz Inspiration

Last week when I was down visiting my beautiful cousin in Huntington beach we stopped by an Anthropologie store and I stumbled upon this amazing copper and quartz crystal box.  I couldn't afford the beautiful little box even though it was calling my name, so I took a picture with my phone instead.  Last night, I was going through my inspiration pictures and put this one to good use creating these copper and quartz crystal point earrings.  They will be listed in my shop this week.

Barnes & Noble Inspiration

Went to Barnes & Nobles to look for a book on tape.  

Their selection sucked, so I wandered over to the craft section.  

Spent an hour flipping through jewelry books and found a little inspiration.

Thinking about giving the bottom right a try. 

 

Love Inspired Jewelry

Love Me Sweetly Pearls & Rose Quartz Layered Necklace

With Valentines Day right around the corner, I've been inspired to create some love themed jewelry.  I love the combination of pearls and rose quartz, not only are they beautiful together but their meanings are both lovely too.        

Pearl:  The symbol of feminine wisdom.  There is much folklore and tradition about the pearl.  It was said in some early cultures that the pearl was born when a single drop of rain fell from the heavens and became the heart of the oyster. Pearls have been referred to as the 'teardrops of the moon'. Others believed that pearls were formed by the passage of angels through the clouds of heaven.
    Pearls inspire femininity and increase self acceptance. They lift your spirits and make you feel calm and beautiful, reminding us to walk with dignity.

Rose Quartz:  The stone of unconditional love and infinite peace.  It is the most important stone to use when working with the heart chakra.  It purifies and opens the heart on all levels, most importantly promoting self-love.  It’s gentle vibrations are calming and reassuring, making an excellent stone to use in trauma or crisis. 

It can be used to increase self love, draw more love to you, or reignite love in a relationship.  It can help restore trust and harmony.  It helps soothe the heart after love is lost, increase feelings of self-worth, and open you up to new love.


Check out WillowLily this latest addition to the shop and other natural stone and reclaimed vintage pieces.

Video Project: Fotoshop

 

This commercial isn't real, neither are society's standards of beauty.

This is a video project I worked on last summer.  It's the brainchild of Jesse Rosten.  So check it out and let me know what you think.