wear to work / stripes

[ top: Calvin Klein / trousers: Banana Republic / Shoes: BP. Shoes ]

My photographer friend caught me on this outfit today when he was testing out his new Nikon DSLR. The pictures came out great (the camera has a great built-in wi-fi capability, which I'm in love with). I thought it would be a great opportunity to show what I normally wear - as simple as it is - here.

Photography: Tavio Valencia

Hard Edges

I had the privilege to do an ad hoc photoshoot with my photographer friend. Although I'm the furthest thing from being able to model in front of the camera, he was able to capture my personality and put it in a little square frame. 

He specializes in natural lighting and making things pretty; check him out at Octavio Valencia Photography in Sacramento, CA.

There's probably no better way to highlight how small, organic, and human you are than by standing in front of a large, metallic wall comprised of sharp lines in perfect, equal measures. We have no even edges, but there's beauty in that too.

{ lupita }

Lupita Nyong'o won an Oscar last night for her portrayal of Patsy in 12 Years a Slave. I absolutely love everything about her. She has this beautiful spirit that's genuine, kind, and full of energy. Here is her speech from Essence about being beautiful, which made me love her even more.

What is fundamentally beautiful is compassion for yourself and for those around you.

{ beauty for the heat }

It's been scorching temperature where I live, so I had to round up products that last long and keep me cool without looking like a mess by the end of the day. These are some items I use this summer:

Aveeno Dry Shampoo

In the morning, I like to spray on my bangs and the crown of my head before my hair gets greasy. It keeps the hair fluffier and lasts throughout the day like I just washed my hair.

E.L.F. Shine Eraser

I keep these in my bag and blot every couple of hours...and it's only a $1!

Korres Wild Rose + Vitamin C Sleeping Facial

Talk about beauty sleep. I put this on every other night as a dual mask and night cream. It fixes damages cause by the sun at night.

What are some of your must-go-to products this summer?

{ make-up inspired by art }

From Into the Gloss, Violette gives us a special treat inspired by paintings in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Her technique for contouring and highlighting specific areas on the face matches perfectly with those beautiful Renaissance paintings, with their perfect, matte skin.

Pompeo Batoni, Diana and Cupid, (Italian, Lucca 1708–1787 Rome)