Red lips baby!

I *NEVER* ever thought I would be in the red lipstick camp but after reading several posts from bloggers that have tried it, I wanted to give it a try. I normally only wear Clinique black honey, urban decay gloss or nothing. However, I had seen some bloggers look so cute and chic wearing really bold pink (nars schiap) or red. On Saturday, I went to Nordstrom and started first at the Mac counter. I tried 2 bright pinks and the results were nothing less than disastrous. Think barbie convertible pink and my olive complexion---ICK! It really looked horrible and as if I were really trying hard to look 17. I was ready to run out of the store but the makeup lady gave me a deep, true red to try. She insisted on me putting on primer first, using lip liner and then applying the lipstick. It was dramatic......but I really liked it! I usually wipe off all my makeup after trying it on but I actually wore it the rest of the day. I kept on looking at myself in the rearview to make sure I wasn't too Bozo-esque but it actually looked nice. I wasn't bold enough to try to take pics but sometime soon, I promise;) I would appreciate any tips though---what types/colors do you use for the rest of your face when going with red lipstick. I am sure it is very basic and light but I would appreciate any specific feedback!

Friday! Friday! Gotta get down on....shut up!

Yes, it's weekend time. What are you doing to enjoy this lovely, boiling weather? My lovely friend, Kimberly, has arranged a rafting outing for us today to be followed by lunch and a possible pedicure. I am glad to be doing anything near water as the thought of submerging myself sounds divine. Tomorrow, another sweet friend has suggested the beach---isn't that the perfect outing for a Saturday? I am hoping to find canned champagne and fruit for us to enjoy on the sand (canned champagne idea came from Kate). Finally, Sunday, my husband will be competing in an Olympic triathlon; he has worked very hard training so I will be there cheering him on and taking pictures. As far as more recent purchases, I ordered the CUTEST pair of glasses from this website and can't wait to receive them. My prescription is very slight but the cute frames they offered and the home try-on pushed me to pull the trigger on the Langston style. I am super impressed with their customer service thus far and I will post a follow up as soon as I receive them.
So, what are YOU doing this weekend? Staying indoors and staying cool or braving the heat? I want to know:)

Recent purchases

I have felt so uninspired lately with summer fashion. It is hard to be creative, accessorize and not wear something really light when it is 90+degrees. However, I have made a few purchases; here they are:

Yes, I fell prey to the whole boat shoes trend.
I was at Lord & Taylor and saw these Sperry in the bronze metallic and could not resist:)

Surprise--another striped dress. I have decided though--THIS IS IT. After seeing pictures where all I am wearing are striped dresses, I have made the decision that I am done!

I couldn't resist this shirt on sale from jcrew---It is too hot to wear it now but I think it will be perfect for late summer and fall. 

Back to life....back to reality

I am so missing Italy. We had such a fabulous time---it is hard to articulate it really. We spent the majority of our time in Senigallia which is in the Marche region and a few days in Rome. Before arriving in Rome, I was pretty sure that it would be my favorite part due to the many landmarks and cultural attractions....I was wrong. I feel that I got an authentic look at the real Italy in smaller town Senigallia---we were completely surrounded by Italians and we only saw non Italian tourists twice there. Rome was great but I constantly felt like we were completely surrounded by tourists and the places we visited (Coliseum, Trevi Fountain, Piazza Navona, Vatican, etc.) seemed to be engulfed by touristy trap places and scammers---think Times Square in NYC. While it was amazing to see these places, I better enjoyed walking along the streets in smaller town Italy and talking to people who were not so jaded by constantly having to deal with tourists. All in all though, we really loved our trip and would like to return.

the B&B we stayed at was completely surrounded by sunflower fields

eating outdoors was so nice

checking out the market in Senigallia

beach time

going out at "la tartana" was so much fun  

at outdoor restaurant in ROME

Trevi Fountain in Rome---it was really beautiful

at Spanish Steps

got this dress at Zara in Rome on sale!!!!!

view from rooftop at our hotel, La Griffe in Rome

loved the exposition we saw at Museo Esposizioni--it was 100 paintings of impressionism, expressionism

at Museo Esposizioni

love awkward pics---don't you wish your girlfriend was hot like me???? ;)

Italy!

Wow, it seems like I just left but it was a wonderful 11 days in Italy. We spent 8 days in Senigallia (Marche region) and 3 days in Rome. I am not exactly sure where to start so I guess I will begin with food. I am not normally a big fan of Italian food (bought in US) except for pizza but the food was very, very good there and the biggest difference I noticed was the freshness and richness of taste compared to Italian food here. Here are some pics:

this was an octopus antipasti dish

A black risotto with langoustines

I am IN LOVE with Pizza Napoli---mozarella, tomatoes and anchovies

I loved how you could get vino frizzante (sparkling wine) right on the beach

this was spaghetti cacio e pepe (pecorino and pepper)--it was so simple but very delicious

spaghetti and clams

I never usually drink capuccinos but had several in Italy--they were always perfect

another food bonus was that any time you order a drink in a bar/pub, you always get little snacks served with it