Sorry about the lack of updates! I've had some big changes happen recently (like, moving back to New York last month, finishing out my Senior year of college, trying to prep myself for a permanent-ish move to London in just 10 months...!)

Sad to say but my blog will be on hiatus for a few weeks until I can get my bearings. So much to do, not enough time to blog. :(

Five Things.

Even though I grew up in the South, I always forget how brutal the summers can be. New York City may get hot but there's always a cool breeze when you need one. Here, the summer air is thick with humidity and the temperature is relentless. Iced tea, A/C and shorts aren't a 'must', they're an 'of course'. Here are five other things that are keeping me sane in this sweltering heat.

Evian spray. This is a lifesaver during the summertime. Not only does it keep your skin lightly moisturized, it also cools you down and refreshes your face. The cute little travel size fits into virtually any purse and no matter how hot it may get, the spray always feels blissfully cold.

Bright, fun flip-flops. These Nanette Lepore pair have been carrying me faithfully this entire summer. It doesn't get any easier than flip-flops, and trust me, when the temperature lounges at 100°F all week, you just want to slip into something easy.

BN Nook Color. Simply wonderful. Cooking and baking feels like a nightmare in the summertime but my new Nook makes the process enjoyable again. No bulky volumes on canning to juggle, and thanks to its built-in wifi, I can also use it to look up cooking techniques on Youtube in a pinch.

New purse. Roomy, lightweight... enough said.

Lavender aromatherapy sleep spray. Did you know? Your body temperature spikes slightly before you fall asleep (and then slowly drops during the night). This lavender spray is soothing without being cloying, and makes me forget all about the heat long enough to fall asleep.

Project Frugalista: You Don't Need Any More Shoes

I have an embarrassing number of shoes.

I have a lot. Like, I-don't-let-people-go-into-my-closet-for-fear-that-they-might-call-Hoarders-to-do-an-episode-on-me lot. Still, who can resist a good bargain?

Pour La Victoire 'Tyra' in Gold Mustard; Elizabeth and James 'Star' in Pewter Metallic

The PLVs were $59, marked down a staggering 80% from $295. The Elizabeth and James heels were $77 (another 80% markdown!), the original price being $385. So what if I only have one pair of feet?

Shipping was $7, and in total the shoes cost me $143. I now have $33 left out of my $200 monthly budget... and we're barely a week into August (!).

p.s. I'm ridiculously happy over the E&J heels. I've been staring at that exact pair in that exact same color for what seems like forever. I nearly bought it two months ago when it finally showed up on theOutnet.com but didn't and have been kicking myself since. ...Well, not anymore!!

Project Frugalista: Shopping Update

Banana Republic 3/4 sleeve cardigan sz Petite Medium

Steve Madden purple faux python slingbacks sz 8

So... I have imposed a $200 spending cap on fashion-y things per month and I am finding it much more difficult than I had imagined! These two items were purchased last week out of necessity (I needed a cardigan for work as the AC is working a little too well lately and all of my fall/winter clothes are still in New York; & I got the shoes to match a slinky black dress I'm planning on wearing to a party soon).

The cardigan was originally $49 and I got it for $5. I have no idea what the Steve Maddens originally cost but I got mine for $17, not too shabby! In total, with tax included, I've spent $24 so far.

Just Desserts

Pecan Caramel Sundae truffles: caramel and vanilla ganache center, milk chocolate shell topped with chopped pecans.
Neopolitan truffles: strawberry and vanilla ganache center, milk chocolate shell.
Rocky Road truffles: marshmallow and milk chocolate ganache center, milk chocolate shell topped with crushed almonds.
Double Dark Chocolate truffles: 72% cacao dark chocolate ganache center, dark chocolate shell.
Mint Chocolate Chip truffles: mint ganache with chocolate chips center, dark chocolate shell.
Pistachio truffles: pistachio and white chocolate ganache center, dark and white chocolate shell topped with crushed pistachios.

You're probably wondering what this is for. Well. I don't really have an answer for you. I make homemade truffles and cookies as mini gifts for my friends around holiday time and I thought those Godiva flavors were all good ideas! Posting this here so I don't lose it.

Go Go Girlfriend Box .01

Rainy day at work made cheerier by my very first Go Go Girlfriend box!

Go Go Girlfriend is a beauty sampling subscription similar to Birchbox. For $12.99 a month Go Go Girlfriend ships you a little box filled with an assortment of beauty-related goodies to try out. I've gotten rather addicted to these sampling programs (in addition to Go Go Girlfriend I also subscribe to Birchbox, New Beauty Test Tube and BeautyFix). I really love them! It's like mini Christmas when one of these boxes arrive.

excuse the poor light! I took this with my phone.

Continued under the cut!

Tasty Fakes pt. 1

Do you like caviar? I adore it. So much, in fact, that when I win the lottery I plan on filling a swimming pool with Malossol Beluga caviar and paddle around it in a little blini boat with an ivory oar.

Sadly, until that day comes I have to settle for something a little less extravagant. And, as a jar of decent Beluga caviar is out of my price range, I've devoted an inordinate amount of time and money into finding moderately priced and tasty brands of caviar. This particular brand is my current favorite. Despite being lumpfish roe and priced at $32.99 for 12 oz., the texture and flavor of Roland brand roe caviar is remarkably close to the good stuff.