what are you doing this weekend?

happy friday, everyone -- did you have a good week? are you looking forward to the weekend? i am. i'm actually going to visit my parents, grandmother and brother this weekend (i haven't been home since january), and i'm hoping to catch up with some friends while i'm there, as well as see a movie with my mom (i'm dying to watch jane eyre), and stop by my favorite cupcake shop for a little treat. it should be a good weekend.

and you? what are your plans? tell me, and i'll see you back here on monday.

photo by me

loving: kylie johnson ceramics.

i just love these ceramic pieces by australian potter and poet kylie johnson -- aren't they so sweet, and wouldn't they make a perfect wedding gift? the words on that tray, in particular, just kill me. the plate and tray above are available at anthropologie, but you can see and buy more of kylie's work in her online shop here.

scenes from sarasota: evening paddleboarding.

this is by no means a perfect photograph (in fact, it's terribly crooked and pretty dark), but i really love it all the same. i was taking my usual bridge walk the other evening -- it was one of those quiet, hazy spring nights that are so unique to florida at this time of year -- and happened to look over the railing at the top of the bridge, where i saw these two paddleboarders heading toward the sunset. there was nothing surrounding them except water, and it was such a beautiful scene that i couldn't help but snap a picture. i don't know why this speaks to me so much, but it does -- maybe it's the metaphorical undercurrent of making your way towards something bigger, or of re-realizing your smallness in the face of nature (in this case, of course, the ocean), which is something i think we all need to come back to from time to time.

i hope you all are having great wednesdays.

spring favorites.

i love reading what's-in-your-bag and what's-in-your-beauty-cabinet style posts, so i thought i'd do one featuring my spring favorites. i have a pretty simple beauty routine -- a little foundation, some blush and mascara, blown-out hair when i have the time -- but i feel like lately i've found the products that really work for me.

1. mario badescu enzyme cleansing gel: i use this in the morning and it wakes up my skin really nicely. i find that as an end-of-day, makeup-removing product it's not fantastic (for me, at least), but in the morning it's perfect.
2. kiehls ultra facial products: i use these at night (i got them as part of a travel set, as a gift) to remove the day's makeup, tone and moisturize, and i love them. so gentle. plus they last forever.
3. jo malone orange blossom perfume: this scent is like the best of florida in a bottle -- it truly smells like orange blossoms and i love it. i had been using issey miyake for awhile -- and i still use miss dior cherie for special, particularly girly occasions -- but this is my new, hands-down favorite.
4. moroccanoil: smells great and works even better -- whenever i use it, my hair is softer and shinier. also, even though it's expensive, it lasts forever. i'm still less than halfway through a bottle i bought last mid-year last year.
5. fekkai glossing shampoo and conditioner: i got some samples of this and my hair just drinks it up. coupled with the moroccanoil, it's perfect. plus, it smells great.
6. bare minerals makeup: i have finicky, sensitive skin, and this is my product of choice. it's light but not drying and they actually make it in a shade that perfectly matches my incredibly white skin.
7. nars blush in super orgasm: my aunt bought this and didn't like it (!), so she gave it to me and i love it--and the little hint of sparkle it provides.
8. josie maran lip & cheek stain in jive: i bought this a few months ago and it's totally worth it. it somehow manages to be super-saturated and moisturizing. it's a little too bright for me to feel comfortable wearing every day, but on mornings when i need a pick-me-up or nights when i'm going out, it's perfect.
9. cover girl lash blast mascara (orange tube): best mascara i've ever used, hands-down. it's amazing. thickening and lengthening.

and you? what are your favorite beauty products right now? please share, i very unabashedly love this stuff.

the weekend + committing to...

i kind of liked the format last monday's "committing to..." post took, so i'm going to copy myself and do it again (ha!). here are five lovely things from this past weekend...

1. sunshine and 80-plus-degree weather.
2. kate's birthday -- a super-fun bash on the bay with some of my very favorite people. (have i mentioned i love a good birthday party?)
3. homemade coconut cupcakes (more on this later).
4. wine. yes. yay.
5. feeling really, truly well for the first time in a month (and getting the official a-ok by the doctor). super yay.

...and five commitments for this week:

1. plan out my meals.
2. finally get back into my exercise routine. pilates, here i come.
3. stay off the coffee, but figure out a good tea alternative -- i still need something other than water to get me going. anyone have any good, easy (i'm a slowpoke in the morning) homemade chai/spiced tea recipes?
4. call some friends/family members that i haven't talked to in awhile.
5. choose happiness.

and you? how were your weekends, and what are your goals/plans for the week?

photo by haley s.