Classy.

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I read this article the other night around 2am, and it's really stuck with me. I find that "classy" is SO overused in today's culture that it's pretty much lost its actual meaning. Call me a snob, but every time someone tells me that whatever I'm doing/wearing/reading/eating/whatevering is classy, I cringe and immediately dislike/stop whatever it is. Maybe it's because I truly do use the word classy in an ironic way, maybe it's because I'm just snobby, but I don't think "being classy" is a compliment.

I really only use the word classy when I mean it's really, really not. A drunk girl throwing herself at a guy in a relationship? Classy. Skirt so short you can see cheek? Classy.

I would much rather be described as sophisticated, elegant, refined, cultured, in good taste, classic, edited, curated, put-together...

As the article states, there are so many better adjectives you can use to describe things that you really like and that you consider high-class...let's use them :)

Hiatus

You may have noticed that things have been very, very quiet over here. There's a few reasons, but the main one is that I'd been growing steadily more disenchanted with the blog world and just needed to take a break.

I feel like the blog world in general has gotten out of control. Everyone is a "fashion blogger" now, everyone is finding that perfect bar cart to put in their living room, every post is sponsored by a different brand...it's just become too much.

I feel like I don't fit into any of the "traditional" blog categories. I don't post a million pictures of myself wearing the latest trends or my daily outfits. I don't post amazing, mouthwatering recipes on a daily basis. I don't post endless sentences about my fairly boring weekends. I don't post stunningly well-lit pictures of my perfectly decorated apartment. I post about each of these things a teeny bit, but in general my posts are about...whatever. Except I promise to never be one of those people who writes in excruciating detail about their very ordinary weekends and then follows it up with a million bad pictures...because I promise you, my weekends of work, Netflix and cat snuggles are already documented enough on Instagram.

I love having that freedom, and it's what I wanted when I originally started my blog, but for a while I just felt very directionless and blah. It's hard to write happy-sounding things here when I'm not particularly happy with my life outside the blog. I don't like reading those blogs where everything seems sparkly-perfect all the time and no sort of realism is touched on, but on the other hand, blogs where people address every single part of their life annoy me too. I didn't want to become either of those people...so I just stopped.

However, I feel like lately other bloggers have been feeling the same sorts of things I was and have started a mini-movement to make things more realistic...which I'm feeling better about. I've missed my little blog and connecting with people, but I also want to maintain a good blog-life-work balance too. I think I'm going to scale back posts to every few days or every other day. Quality over quantity, you know?

I don't even know if this whole post makes a lot of sense, I just have a lot of thoughts that are floating around in my head...thanks for reading if you've stuck with it this far :)

xo

Peace Out, 2013

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I don't even think I can put into words how relieved I am that 2013 is allllllmost over. It has seriously been one of the toughest years of my life, if not the toughest. I am so ready to just move on to the new year and the new possibilities and to forget this awful year.

If I was an introspective, deep person (spoiler: I'm not), I'd reflect on what I've learned or how I've grown...but I honestly cannot think of anything good that happened in 2013, other than getting little Oscarcat. I guess that shows you where my head and heart are, right?

Here's hoping that 2014 is far better!

Bb.

I've recently totally upgraded my hair-care regimen. I almost always use drugstore shampoo, conditioner and styling products, but after getting my hair cut at Bumble&bumble salons a few times and always having amazing hair afterwards, I decided to invest in some new products.

My hair is very thin, very fine, and very silky. It has pretty much no natural texture except sleek, but I'm prone to frizz and static (especially in the winter). I don't want to say this is the best my hair has ever looked...but right now it's looking pretty great. Shiny and healthy and less frizz than ever!

A few of my favorites:

prep. styling mist: this is a definite must-have for me. My hair is very prone to tangles, even after conditioner, so this serves as a detangler and "base" for styling. It's also incredibly lightweight so it feels like I don't have anything in my hair...except my hair is softer and smoother. It's basically like having your best hair ever. Obsessed.

thickening hairspray: another must-have. I spray this liberally on my roots before I blow-dry and it gives my hair just enough body. Not "big hair" by any means, but naturally fuller-looking hair. It also gives my hair the teensiest bit of grip, which is good when I want to pull pieces back with bobby pins--they don't fall out!

hairdresser's invisible oil: like I said before, my hair is incredibly prone to static. In order to combat this, I run just a touch (about a dot the size of a pencil eraser) through my ends which helps a lot. My only con with this oil is it's a verrrrrry thin line between just enough oil to keep static away and so much oil my hair looks greasy. However, I've found that a few shots of dry shampoo are helpful if that happens!

surf spray: if I want texture, this is what I go for. It makes my hair a bit clumpy, so I don't like to use it if I'm wearing my hair down and straight, but it's perfect for an updo or a braid or anything where I need a lot of grip.

I know these products are on the pricey side, but in my experience, I'm far happier with these than anything cheaper that I've tried. I also get the Bb emails so I try to time my orders when they have a good sample-with-purchase offer or free shipping to get more bang for my buck. The products do last a long time though!

This and this are on my to-try list!

Santa Pups!

these pups are the cutest little things! dyingggg. #iwantapuppy

Merry Christmas friends! Here's to having a great day filled with family, great presents, good food, and a restful holiday! Oscar and I will be snuggling for most of the day but I plan on indulging in some peppermint ice cream as a nod to the holiday. Then we'll be packing to head home!

Have a great day!!!

Her.

I randomly went to the movies the other night (we saw the new Hobbit movie...I slept through about 1/3 of it...) and one of the previews was for the new movie Her. I'm actually a bit embarrassed to admit this, but I was tearing up through the entire preview.

Basically the movie is about a guy who falls in love with a computer/operating system thing...it sounds bizarre and weird, but the movie is so sweet and touching. It's obviously a commentary on how fully integrated technology is with our lives, but also brings up the possibility of falling in love with someone you've never met face-to-face.

I'm really looking forward to seeing this movie, but I don't know if I'll be able to watch it in the theater! It might be one that I wait to see at home so I can pause it/watch by myself.

Black & White

Normally I love color, but winter makes me crave neutrals, specifically black and white. I cannot tell you how many days I've gotten dressed without thinking and have put on an outfit consisting solely of all black, all gray or a mix of the two punctuated by a white tee. How boring, right?

In order to spice up my boring monochromatic winter preferences, here are a few black and white pieces that would be both fun and interesting...

Zara Two-Tone Bucket Bag: This would be such a fun interest piece with an all black outfit!

Anthropologie Rococo Tee--I'm obsessed with the detailed pattern of this top, the fact that the look can totally change depending on what color tank you wear underneath, and the price (under $100, when it looks far more expensive!)

Ruche Manor House Coat--So crisp, so clean, so tailored. I love collarless, ladylike coats.

Ruche Rightly So Striped Skirt--Anthro had a skirt similar to this a while back that I loved but never bought...this is a lookalike for a fraction of the cost! This Annie Griffin skirt is very similar as well!

J Crew Tipped Boy Shirt--Not the first time I've mentioned this top because I just love it.

J Crew Diamond-Print Minnie Pant--Perfect with a black sweater and black boots, a white tee and black ballet flats, a brightly colored top and sparkly shoes...

 Anthropologie Marrakesh Booties--Definitely a bit out of my comfort zone and a little crazy...but I love them! With black Pixie pants and a crisp white tunic they'd be super cute. Also available in a smoking slipper that's a bit more of my normal style :)

What do you think? I used to think black + white together was too much of a harsh contrast, but now I love how crisp it is...