coco rouge

Today was a Monday and it lived up to its name.  

But when I saw this ad on the back of an old Real Simple mag, my heart fluttered and I smiled. 

I think this is the perfect shade of lipstick for me. 

I am a pretty natural girl in terms of makeup, usually seen wearing powder foundation, mascara, and a light gloss. But there are days/nights in a girls life when she gets the urge to put on a little extra and to try new things; maybe drag that eye liner out a little into a cat eye, brighten up with some blush or rock the luscious red lip. For everyday, I think that a more natural look is definitely the way to go. Maybe it is the California girl in me. Sometimes it is truly beautiful to let your imperfections shine through and wear those freckles, laugh lines or crow's feet with confidence and experience. My wonderful and beautiful  mother said something to me when I was first experimenting with makeup back in my preteen years, "You want people to say that YOU look pretty, not that your MAKEUP looks pretty." Well, it stuck with me and I try to live by it. 

I also have my mom to thank for making me a Chanel girl through and through. I will always remember inhaling the heavenly scent of Chanel No. 5 that she would spritz on her wrists before church every Sunday. Not only do I love the perfumes by Chanel (I am a Mademoiselle girl myself), I worship the idea of it. The tailored suits, feminine colors, pleats and quilted purses all have a place on my "If I was made of money" wish list. 

I hope you all out there have found your "true red" lip shade and that you wear it with grace, poise and a  slight smile, of course. 

While wandering about town

Yesterday I stumbled upon the Morcom Rose Garden while driving around. 

I parked my car and went down the stairs and this is what I found:

The roses aren't in bloom of course, but I still found it beautiful. 

I can't wait to go back in the Spring time. 

Just Kids

I am a little...ok, I am a lot in love with Patti Smith. She recently won the National Book Award for her memoir, Just Kids. It is a wonderful book about her relationship with photographer/artist Robert Mapplethorpe when they were both young, broke, and determined artists trying to make it in New York in the late 60's and early 70's. I cherish this book and hope that you might read it too. It is poetic and honest and empowering for someone like myself. 

So that said, Patti was recently on The Colbert Report in honor of her winning the National Book Award. This interview is insightful, cheeky, and lovely; not unlike Ms. Patti Smith, herself.
Enjoy.

The Colbert Report: Patti Smith

Here are some photos (from very far away) at the Hardly Strictly Blue Grass Festival in San Francisco when I was able to watch and listen to her play FOR FREE. Loved every minute of it.

 The Godmother speaking her mind.

 "Because the Night"

Oh, I had to get one with me and Patti
(as well as approx: 2,000 other people.)

Bringing a sort of comfort at this time...

Desire Lines by Deerhunter


when you were young 
and your excitement showed 
but as time goes by 
does it outgrow 

is that the way things go 
forever reaching for the goal 
forever fading black 
comes a glow 

walking free 
come with me 
far away 
every day 

when you were young
you never knew which way to go 
what was once gray 
no undertones 

well every day do what you can 
if you let them turn you round 
whatever goes up 
must come down 

walking free 
come with me 
far away 
every day

just do it.

from suzywire

My old friends, they don't know me now.

This song makes my heart ache and my ears smile. 

Suburban War

Taken by me at the Arcade Fire concert @ the Greek Theater in Berkeley, CA. Such an awesome show.
This was my second time to catch them in concert.
 I highly recommend seeing them live if you can.