Bridesmaids: A Year On...

I don't often do personal posts on the blog but I couldn't help but.  

Tonight I went to see Bridesmaids in Hoboken, NJ, as part of their "Movies Under the Stars" Series.  I saw this movie for the first time a year ago, almost literally to the day, which got me thinking a lot about the past year, life, where I am now and where I'm headed.

A year ago I had just finished working QVC's Beauty Bash on a Friday, for one of the skincare product lines I had been working in the head office for.  It was a bittersweet job, working in an industry I truly felt I had a passion for but the job situation was less than desirable.  My confidence had been knocked, I spent every day feeling as if I had just survived a skate off on "Celebrity's Dancing on Ice" and everybody around me was moving towards their goals, desires and dreams at such a rapid pace.  I felt like things were at a stand still for me, I was left behind.  I saw the film with one of my many friends that are on the express train to marital bliss and there I was, still living with my parents, no partner, no savings, career progression impossible in my current role and generally just feeling sorry for myself.

Seeing Bridesmaids really touched a nerve at the time.  My situtation was totally relateable to Annie's.  Whilst everyone was laughing, I secretly cried a little.  I thought it was really sad.  The position she was in made me feel more sorry for myself.  Then I cried at the end when everyone told her it was her own fault.  To forget blaming the World and get up and change it.  That too made me sad because I realised that I was just letting things happen to me, feeling distressed about it but then not doing anything to change it.

Tonight sat under the stars, looking across at the Manhattan skyline, Empire State Building staring back at me and Bridesmaids projected on a big screen on the Hudson, it felt incredibly poignant.  This time last year seems like such a long time ago.  A lifetime ago even.  So much has happened and even more has changed for me.  The obvious being that I am living and working in New York City.  An incredible opportunity that until now I haven't truly appreciated or grabbed with both hands.  I'm nowhere near where I had hoped to be at 27 and I don't know when I'll ever get there but I do know that every struggle I faced last year has been totally worth it to end up sitting in the warm breeze, surrounded by laughter and a beautiful view.

Where will I be this time next year?  I have no clue but I hope I'm as grateful as I am today.

Hoboken's Movies Under the Stars Series will run throughout July and August, full screening details available here

Audrey Hepburn and I

I had to post this because I'm just totally taken aback by it.  I referenced an Audrey Hepburn quote yesterday regarding the difficulty with taking life in when you're in the moment, to which a friend said that I reminded her of Audrey.  I'm not sure I feel that way but grateful for such a lovely compliment.  And then I saw the below quote on pinterest.  I literally said this to someone last weekend. 

Cynthia Rowley: Style-Aid

Now that I'm living in New York it's important that I prepare for every eventuality.  So when a cool New Yorker friend asks me to walk in a Fashion Show and this happens...

The people of Johnson & Johnson have ensured that I needn't worry about the aftermath with their Cynthia Rowley plasters or "band-aids" as their more formerly known in the States.

The pack contains an assortment of 20 with designs including, sequins, crystals, gold chains, lace, bows and catwalk images. 

I can't remember the last time I even needed to use a plaster but these stylish numbers are giving me good enough reason to throw myself infront of a cab or two. 

Available for $2.75 at all US drug stores and Target.

Nora Ephron

To the woman that brought us these two and many more ...

The Maple Bacon Cupcake

I've seen these feature on various food blogs so I was ecstatic to stumble across some mini versions at the Williamsburg Flea Market this weekend.  The perfect combination of sweet and salty, neither too overpowering.  The butter cream was a great contrast to the rasher and I was surprised to detect a hint of cinnamon in the sponge base.  At $2 they were the most expensive to sample from this particular stall but if you're a fan of a pancake, bacon and maple syrup breakfast then this should be right up your street!

Blink and Go Mascara

My eyelashes are my most valued feature and the one I receive the most comments and compliments on.  Therefore, it's no wonder that over time I have become somewhat of a mascara maven.

Diorshow has been a staple in my makeup bag for many years now.  On occassions I will opt for a cheaper alternative but as soon as I return to my trusty fave I truly appreciate how horrifically horrid that whole mascara incident was.  Despite my deep rooted love affair with this beauty product it's not actually frequented my dressing table for some time and just before Christmas another obstacle prevented me from re-purchasing.

Blink and Go mascara appeared in my Glossybox and from first impressions I wasn't impressed. The packaging didn't fall under luxury or quirky, it actually screamed "teen makeup brand" in my eyes. However, the product has continued to surprise me.

There are three super important requirements for my must-have mascara...

• Must volumise
• Must lengthen
• Must stay put

I'm sure you're all the same.

There are definite pros and cons to this particular brand but overall it's a quality mascara that does all of the above and should definitely be given a shot at a starring role in your makeup bag.

What I love about Blink and Go...

It seriously thickens those lashes, giving them a stand out quality

The length they give my already extraordinarily long eyelashes is phenomenal so for those of you that aren't too enamoured with the length of yours, this is sure to do the trick

This stuff ain't budging!

The packaging is sturdy and thick, I have no idea (without delving into my suitcase on this Amtrak train) if it contains more product or not but my guess is yes as it's still going strong 4 months down the line

My biggest and perhaps only complaint about this mascara, is that just like the packaging the formula is sturdy.  When removing of an evening it's stripped off as a solid product rather than liquid which does make me flinch now and again that I may be taking some of my prized possessions with it.

Blink and Go is available from www.nouveaubeautygroup.com



*Image taken from www.nouveaubeautygroup.com

Gilmore Girl

Band Stand, Stowe, VT

Sunday Brunch

Eggs Benedict and a Bloody Mary at the Green Mountain Inn, Stowe, VT

Happy St Patrick's Day from Stowe, Vermont

The White Maple Martini

When in Vermont, do as the Vermonters do and what could be more Vermont than a White Maple Martini?

I sampled this at a relatively new restaurant, Harrisons.  Probably better as an after dinner cocktail as it's a little creamy rather than through dinner, as I ordered but nonetheless it was the perfect concoction to ease me back into my home away from home, Stowe.

Compiled of Green Mountain Vodka (very apt), Maple Liquer, Frangelico and Godiva White Chocolate Liquer-YUM!

You could try your hand at mixing the above ingredients to your taste or if you need a little more structure, you could use the below recipe, a little different but I'm sure the outcome will be just as delightful.

How To..

1.5 oz Vodka

1 Tbsp Vermont Maple Syrup

1 oz Soda

Mix all ingredients together and pour into a prepared Martini glass.