Balue/Co.

morning in the flowers

The other weekend, an early Saturday morning found us up in the tulip fields. Most of the vast fields had already been cut, but these beauties were still standing tall. The colors were incredible, these photos can't even begin to touch their vibrancy. Beautiful (and more than a little inspiring to my love of pattern).

Have a lovely weekend.

the series of ideal men: anthony bourdain

Of course Anthony Bourdain would show up in this series sooner or later. I love the man. I love what he writes, I love what he says about food and culture on whatever food + travel mashup TV show he's currently running around on, hey, the guy can do (almost) no wrong. Sure, he may catch some flack for maybe not bringing a whole lot of new to the board regarding his views on the food industy/sustainability/food economics, but he's still spreading the good word, new or not. He's out there talking, and people tend to listen (Perhaps even moreso when he's tempered slightly by one Mr. Ripert, the two of which make a pretty magical pair). Despite being just about as far away as one could be from veganism (except oh, maybe Ted Nugent... a friend of Mr. Bourdain's, in fact!), he knows what he's about, and you get the sense that it's not at all just made-for-TV. Welcome to the Series, dude.

/ photo by Melanie Dunea

skincare wishlist, spring edition

Let's keep this skincare train rollin, shall we? As we all know, I'm a full-blown beauty blogger video addict. And as it happens, almost all of the bloggers I watch are in the UK. And then there's Caroline Hirons. The woman flat-out knows her skincare. Seriously, watch this. While the foundation of my routine is firmly rooted in the all-natural camp (see love letter to S.W. Basics, below), these cult-favorite products are the ones buzzing on my radar as of late. Most are more readably available on the other side of the pond, which annoys me to no end, but that doesn't stop me from adding them to my virtual wishlist (all the links below do ship internationally, as well).

1. Caudalie Vinosource S.O.S. Thirst Quenching Serum
This one is widely available in the States, and has a rabid following for it's lightweight, refreshing feel, and deeply hydrating results. This is my most-wanted for summer.

2. Emma Hardie Amazing Face Natural Lift and Sculpt Moringa Cleansing Balm
A ridiculously long name for a beautiful cleansing balm, this stuff is apparently worth it's weight in gold for gentle, hydrating cleansing.

3.  Jade facial roller
I'm not sure if I buy into the hype on these, but the idea of storing one in the fridge and pulling it out to run over your hot-ass face (as in, sweaty) in the dead of summer makes my heat-averse senses tingle.

4.  Alpha-H Liquid Gold
This glycolic acid-based serum is meant to be an overnight treatment that sloughs off dullness and reveals glowing skin in the morning. I've used products with similar claims, but this one's devoted fans have swayed me to want to add this one to my nighttime routine.

5. Embryolisse Lait-Creme Concentre
Anything known for being a staple in most makeup artist's kits instantly goes on my want-list. This basic cream is known for being a multi-use, moisturizing wonder for a range of skin types.

 6. Hydraluron
Probably my most-wished-for item of the moment, a thin layer of this hyaluronic acid-based gel serum before anything else makes your moisturizer/serum 1,000 times more effective. No, really. Bonus that it's 100% animal-product-free (something hyaluronic acid normally is not). 

What's on your skincare wishlist lately?
Have you tried any of these? If so, what'd you think?

s.w. basics: it's love

Back in March, I wrote all about my love for S.W. Basics of Brooklyn's bold branding and their super-duper all-natural ethos (yep, super-duper all-natural). Over the past month, I've had the chance to try out a few of their gorgeous products, and I have to say I'm nothing other than (even more) impressed.

I wanted to see how these completely natural products would stack up against my 'standard' lineup of skincare, so I used them pretty exclusively all month. With an ingredients list as short as theirs, I wasn't quite sure what to expect... could a bottle of rosewater, vegetable glycerin, and tea tree oil actually keep my skin in check? Would my skin decide it was on 'vacation' from it's normal routine/regime of more–shall we say–intensive products, and start behaving badly? (What happens in Natural Skincare Town stays in Natural Skincare Town?) I had visions of waking to The Great Zit Uprising of 2013 all up on my face. But at least the bottles would look good on my shelf, right?

I really should have known better than all that, because the whole line totally blew me away from Day 1. Taking a few shakes of the Cleanser* onto a cotton pad and running it over my face each night, a full face of makeup was swept away with ease. As in, it worked better than Bioderma. Word. Hi-YAH! The Toner* was really refreshing, and I found myself using it the most out of the three products. Especially nice in the morning, it prepped my skin for moisturizer and makeup without stripping any natural oils (and I came to love the slightly tangy/vinegary smell. Really.). If you have some seriously dry skin like anywhere on your body, the Cream* will sort you right out. A powerhouse combo of fair-trade shea butter, organic coconut oil and organic olive oil, it melts on contact with your skin and sinks in, leaving a nice layer (read: not heavy) of moisture on the skin. I mainly used this at night, massaging it all over my face and even into my eyebrows/eyelids/lashes/and lips. All that shit needs moisture too, people. Put it on the ends of your hair as a pre-shampoo deep treatment, or rub some into your scalp for an overnight moisture boost. Now we're talking.

Like I said, I never should have doubted. These 100% natural (and vegan! woo!) products totally owned over my more mainstream products (even the more natural ones!), and not a blemish in sight a full month later! I feel like using S.W. Basics has really brought my skin to a more balanced state, one where I'm not constantly swinging between too dry/too oily. If you're looking to strike that balance, take a look at these... they're more than just a pretty bottle.

 

/ *press samples. All opinions are my own honest review, ain't no funny business up in here.

words of the wise 06.

Lauren Hutton on her first sitting with Richard Avedon in 1966. Will this woman ever cease to be a constant source of inspiration to me?

/ Background image via Into the Gloss

a weekend away

Ahh, to leave it all behind and just get out of town...

Last weekend was spent on Vashon Island – just a short ferry ride away from the city, but ages away in pace of life – and let me tell ya, it was pretty damn great. To leave behind the hustle and bustle, the honking horns, the email, and even just reliable cell service, was a beautiful thing.

Arriving on the island feels like stepping back in time: no stoplights, no big developments, locals who are quick to smile and say hello when you pass. Every time I go, I'm struck by just how friendly the people are, how welcoming and warm. At the Vashon Island Coffee Roasterie, no less than three people helped me pick out tea, happily sharing tips and tricks to getting the best brew. At Bergamot Home, owner Kassana Holden and I talked design as her sweet dog Lucky slept at her feet. Sunday morning breakfast at Snapdragon was made extra special when they gladly tweaked a menu item to be totally vegan, just for me. It's these little things that make an impression, and make me so excited to go back. Vashon, you're something special.

Where we stayed:
Triplebrook Farm (owners Hal and Molly Green were so welcoming, and their restored barn cottage is beautiful)

Favorites eats:
The Hardware Store (amazing breakfasts), Snapdragon (raspberry rhubarb cinnamon rolls, need I say more?), May Thai (be sure to make reservations if you go on a weekend)

Favorite shops:
Giraffe (beautiful objects for the home from all over the world), Island Quilter (the array of fabric is never ending!), Bergamot Home (nicely curated gallery and textile design space in the little town of Burton), Dig Floral and Garden (plants from all over the world, incredible), The Vashon Island Coffee Roasterie (in addition to the wide array of tea shown above, they roast all their coffee in-house and have a great little grocery store called Minglemint attached, which has been open on the island since 1973)

Favorite sights:
Besides the fun shopping in the heart of town, make sure to visit the Saturday Farmer's Market if you go on a weekend. Take a drive down to the Point Robinson Lighthouse for a picnic, and check out the famous Bike in a Tree on the way back into town. There are a lot of farms on the island you can visit, including The Old Chaser Farm (supplier for Sitka and Spruce in Seattle) and Sea Breeze Farm. A beautiful hike with dramatic views on the Shinglemill Creek trail is a nice way to wrap up the trip before hopping back on the ferry to the mainland.