Snow On Amsterdam: Perspective

Oh, Amsterdam. You're the crazy kind of place you typically visit as a red-eyed student in college. However, we first met when I was 14, merely a freshman in high school. In the summer of 1994 I was formally introduced to city staples like Amstel light and the red light {district}. We stayed on a house boat, I learned to drive stick in a parking lot and we posed for pictures in giant, wooden clogs. 

While the entire experience was etched into my mind, my most vivid and powerful memory took place far away from the wild sites in the city. As soon as I set foot in the apartment in which Anne Frank hid for over two years, my life and perspective was changed forever. I was so moved that I went on to write my college entrance essay about visiting her hiding place. If you've never learned about Anne Frank or haven't read her diary, I promise you'll be touched. And on this snowy day in New York, I look out my window wondering how many times she must have watched snow fall over canals, hoping to play in it, once again.

Perspective.

via pia jane bijkerk

Cable Knit Sweater Weather

I had to post this photo because every time I looked at it, I just got happy.  Living in New York, you really experience four true seasons.  This year, we went from an uncomfortably hot summer to the deep freeze of winter, seemingly in the blink of an eye.  When I think about my favorite time of the year, I'm able to pinpoint it quite precisely.  Here goes: having to wear a sweater & pants while not having to wear a jacket, yet.  That's my favorite kind of day.

What's yours?

via slumber designs

He's HERE!!

In case you've been wondering about my absence this past week...

Charlie

born September 8th, 2010

7lbs, 2.5oz.
20 inches

scrumptious. delicious. amazing.
my heart within my heart.

i'm gonna be taking some time off from blogging, but i have some guest bloggers submitting posts to cover for me. if you're interested in guest blogging, just send me an email, i'd love to have you!

xo,

us

Week 33 Update + Giveaway Winner!

I am absolutely amazed at how quickly this pregnancy has gone by! Has my pregnancy gone quickly for you, too? Haha...this is me at week 33, next to a list of quite possibly the most delicious ice creams I've ever tasted {caramel swirl was mind numbingly good}. We spent this past weekend with the family visiting Boston. While I didn't have the stamina to conquer all the shops along Newbury Street, I did try out some yummy restaurants like Picco {seen above}, where we feasted on delicious pizza + ice cream.

We also had our last ultrasound yesterday and we found out that our little munchkin is about 5 pounds, 3 ounces & approximately 17 inches long. He's got feet that measure 2.5 inches long and is comfortably situated in a head down position, getting ready for his descent! We tried to catch a last glimpse of his profile, but my persistent little boy held his arm over his face as if to say, "leave me alone for at least another 6 weeks." And we shall...

Onto other exciting news...the winner of the CROW watches giveaway is none other than:

Taylor of Anticipation!

Congrats lady! Be sure to send me your mailing info {thebeautyfile@gmail.com}

Thanks to everyone for playing!

Interview w/ a Vampire...

Hi all!

Thought I'd check in and spotlight my....BUMP!

I typically blog about fashion, beauty & the like, but here are some personal gems from my pregnancy to brighten up your mornings.

Enjoy and feel free to send along any/all questions!

Almost forgot...this interview will be conducted by "Olivia"

{from The City}:

O: I'm here with one of my favorite and least known bloggers, Lisi, of The Beauty File. Say hi for Elle.com!

L: Hi?

O: Sooooo, what's up with that major, I mean MAJOR stomach of yours? Is fat in?

L: Um, I'm 27 weeks pregnant.

O: Oh.  So, wow, you look great!  What on earth have you been eating to gain that much weight?

L: Uh, thanks?  A whole lotta dairy!  This winter, my love for pasta + cheese became more like an obsession and I skulked around the hot bar at Whole Foods at least three times a week for their amazing mac-n-cheese.  Really, you should try it.

O: That's so gross. And creepy. Anyway, what have you been craving lately?  Lard?

L: Well, funny you should ask.  I am still on dairy, but have switched to chocolate milkshakes.  Not like, everyday or anything, but they're pretty high up on my list.

O: I've never had one. So, I'd pretty much never call you, "fashionable," but what kinds of designers are you wearing these days...if any?

L: Um, well, I'm ADORING gap maternity, especially THIS tank top.  Every pregnant woman should buy at least three of them for the hot summer months.  I also love this brand, Ripe Maternity (from Australia), they have some amazing pants for summer.  I like Target's Liz Lange & Moody Mamas lines as well.

O: Ewe.  Ok, enough.  I see Jane Aldridge and need to get her on camera before Joe gives me another lecture.  Nice meet...I mean, tata!

{disclaimer, my responses "L" are completely legit, "O" is a fictitious character based on the real one...duh.}

ppppopped! aka "bump watch, 2010"

Tummy shot, 4/20/10

Ummmm, tummy shots, 5/1/10
He's growwwwwing!

Any Questions??

Wearing my Maison Martin Margiela hooded dress/top + Mimi maternity leggings with uber expandable waist band

She's Having a Baby!

Oh yes, yes, she is!

My dear blog readers:

I've been SO appreciative of all you've shared with me over the past year,

I needed you to know one teeny, tiny thing.

Baby Beauty File

Due: September 16th, 2010

Watch for updates in the coming months :  )

I'm not promising belly shots, but I won't rule them out either!  

Also, we find out the sex on April 19th.

Until then...

pictured above: My mommy & me, circa 1983 and a profound devotion to cookies!

Spring Hair Style

I'd like to introduce you to my new hairstyle.  I recently spotted Jennifer Aniston wearing the absolute latest in hair accessories, the bobby pin, and immediately fell in love.  I let my hair get a little dirty {post one day wash} and parted it the opposite way it falls naturally.  Then I grabbed the upper, side portion of the crown and pinned it right in place.

Voilà!

Saturdays Are For Dancing!

Yesterday I went to Brooklyn to reunite with old buds for

our annual "Thanksgiving with Friends" soirée.

Drinking started at 11:30am, one thing led to another and by

1pm we were rockin' out on the terrace to Rihanna and Lady Gags.

...AND the whole neighborhood knew it.

Tell me, did you dance this weekend?

"she comes in colors evrywhere"

she combs her hair
she's like a rainbow

coming, colors in the air
oh, everywhere

she comes in colors

-rolling stones

silken bouquet hairband via Anthropologie

The Skin{ny} Part I: The Moisture Trifecta

My dear friend, Liz, of It's Unbeweavable! fame has paid me quite the compliment. She recently requested that I do a how-to post on my skin. This was kind of the most fabulous request I've ever received. Her comment went a little something like this:

Can I do a reader/stalker/obsessed fan request?

Your skin is ahhhmazing like O-FACE glow all the time, so gorgeous...

can you do a how-to?

K thxbai.

Don't we all just LOVE her? Yeah, she's just THAT cool.

{moi}

So, I decided to break these skin posts up into a weekly segment. I started writing this and realized I'd never fit everything into one post. So, keep tuned right here for weekly TBF skin tips. Please use the comment section to direct your questions to me. Also feel free to comment with any products you love {pertaining to the post topic}. We all love to know what's worked!

My knowledge is a result of personal trial and error and based on about 20 years of costly research with a sole participant. I am happy to help in any way I can. Without further adieu...

Post One:

The Moisture Trifecta

The moisture trifecta is CRUCIAL for achieving fabulous, glowing, quick romp in the sack skin. I personally believe moisture is the only way to get down to the bottom of problem skin and the way to amp up dull skin.

1) Water, water, water

First and foremost...water. Water is ultimately going to hydrate you from the inside out. I suggest drinking 6-8 glasses of water daily. If you hate the taste of water, add some lemon (slices of cucumber in water actually flushes out toxins and assists in weight loss) or try mixing a teeny bit of juice for flavor. Also, if you're a coffee drinker, you must make sure to drink responsibly: for every cup of coffee you consume, please drink 2x that amount of water. Coffee is great to wake you up, and there have even been some studies that prove caffeine keeps skin cells young, but you must know that it severely dehydrates the body. Make up for lost fluids by drinking lots of water.

2) Moisturizer

In my opinion, A GOOD moisturizer is the best present you can give your skin. If you start young, apply religiously and often, you will end up saving yourself a lot of heartache and botox dollars later on. Over the years I have tried many...too many to mention. Moisturizers are very personal and most target specific skin types. If you have questions about what products to try, I recommend starting with a skin consult with an aesthetician to find out what skin type you have. Allure magazine publishes a top 100 product list every year which I keep in my wallet for quick reference when I shop. Here's a link to it: Allure Best of Beauty 2009. I am currently using day and night moisturizers by Skin Ceuticals {and loving them}. I always order skincare from an online store, skinstore.com. Once you know what you like, stick with it. Order things in advance so you don't run out and have to use year old samples in a pinch. They also give a maj-ah discount to members, 20% off, so definitely take advantage of this!

3) Hydrating Masks

One of life's simplest pleasures. Applying a moisturizing mask 1-2 times a week is something I believe in quite passionately. It's not only incredibly soothing, but also very important to saturate your skin with moisture from all ends. The mask works directly on your cells and really gets that GLOW going. One of my favorite things to do is: shower, put hair up in a bun to dry and apply a mask. It makes me feel so old Hollywood glamour. First clean your skin and dry it. Next, apply the mask, with clean fingers or a clean makeup brush. Then, get comfortable, crank up the Ella Fitzgerald and grab a VOGUE to just relax for a bit. Feel the mask working on your face like a thousand teeny facialists primping and pruning those cells. I love my Ling Moisturizing Mask and while they recommend leaving it on for 20 minutes, I like to sleep in it. If you have oily or acne prone skin, choose a clay or clarifying mask to treat the blemishes.

To sum up:

- Moisturizing your skin is a way of turning back the clock.

- It's never too early or too late to start.

- Find a few products that work and stick with them.

- Too much moisture is never ever enough.

Next week: "Lifestyle Choices That Enhance Your Skin"

pics via: here, miss at la playa, christy turlington by juergen teller, stam on studded hearts

The Wavy Hair Trials: One

The other day I wrote about wavy, beachy, sexy summer hair. I couldn't wait to begin channeling my inner surfer-girl/hippie-chic, bohemian princess...so I got to work right away.

Here are the photos from clinical trial #1. Since I have naturally curly hair, it will be a game of trial & error with the variables being humidity level, products used & amount of conditioner left in hair.

What do you think? Haight {hate} or Ashbury {love}?

What I did:

1. Wash hair w/ shampoo & conditioner.
2. Rinse conditioner out 7/8 of the way with ice-cold water (to leave some conditioner in hair & seal the cuticles).
3. Squeeze out excess water from hair until it stops dripping on floor.
4. PAPER Towel dry the "pony-tail" part of hair. (Regular towel drying will ruin everything)
5. Put two pumps of each of the following in hands and run through hair: Kerastase Oleo Relax & Lait Nutri Sculpt. (you can really use any kind of good serum for this)
6. Put hair up into loose bun on top of head. Allow to dry for a few hours.
7. Divide hair into two sections and loosely braid almost dry hair.
8. Wait about an hour, then remove braids carefully.

Pros: Pretty, loose, undone waves all over head.
Cons: Dry ends, needs more body.

For Trial #2 I will add a stronger serum/curly styling product & change the amount of braids to three. I will also add Elnett hairspray at the end for a good hold and some added body.