Monthly Archives: December 2014

Life

Happy New Year!

December 31, 2014

wink nye

Happy 2015! This year has been a good one. Last year at this time, I was packing up my suitcases and signing the lease on my new apartment in San Francisco (without even seeing it first!). I was nervous and excited, but I mostly felt ready for this new adventure. It took five suitcases, one horrendous back injury (always lift with your knees…), and two layovers for a total of a 13-hour trip to finally make it here, and I’m so glad I finally did. I think the New Year is a great time to look back and reflect on all your accomplishments in the past year. 2014 was a big year for us, and we have many more exciting adventures awaiting us in 2015.

Cheers to you, 2015! Happy New Year!

XO, J

Image custom designed by Meghan Scanlon.

Skincare

My New Year’s Resolution

December 30, 2014

IMG_8818 (1)

IMG_8821 (1)

I’m not sure if it’s the dry air, Christmas sweets, or my recent trip to the Northeast (or maybe a combination of all three?) that’s turned my skin into a dull, flaky mess. Therefore, I’ve made it one of my New Year’s resolutions to take better care of my skin. In addition to drinking more water, cleaning my makeup brushes more often, and accepting that I need to wash my face before bed, I also took a few new products out for a spin. The most recent additions to my medicine cabinet are a few goodies from InstaNatural.

Astonishingly, I’d never used any sort of facial serum before trying out the InstaNatural Vitamin C Serum*. The thick, viscous formula (reminiscent of orange juice) absorbs almost immediately into my skin and contains 20% vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, ferulic acid, vitamin E, and rosehip oil. Used underneath the InstaNatural Pure Argan Oil*, my skin has never looked so radiant. I’ve used Argan oil in the past, but the skincare habit became too expensive for me to maintain – sorry Josie Maran! I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw this MASSIVE 4 oz. bottle of Argan oil for well under $20. I honestly thought it might be too good to be true (p.s. it’s not). For me, this Argan oil is the perfect moisturizer. My skin is never greasy – always perfectly balanced, even-toned, and fresh.

In addition to the skincare goodies, I also tried out the InstaNatural Argan Oil Hair Mask*. My poor, parched strands soaked up that buttery goodness. Wintery weather doesn’t stand a chance now that I have this in my haircare arsenal! Besides the fact that this hair mask contains lashings of Argan oil, it’s also loaded with shea butter, coconut oil, and vitamin B5. So. Good.

Now that you know mine, what’s your New Year’s resolution?

XO, J

*Gifted PR sample, c/o InstaNatural

Life

Merry Everything!

December 17, 2014

xmascard2

We hope your holiday season is merry and bright! We will be hopping on a plane and heading back to snowy Maine later this week and we’re SO excited to enjoy some much needed R+R! Merry everything, dear friends!

output_w3CYET

XO, J, Sawyer, and Buddy the cat! :)

Holiday card graphic designed by my amazingly talented friend, Meghan.

Beauty

How To: The Brush Wash

December 15, 2014

brush-wash

To be perfectly honest, I’m not exactly the poster girl for keeping my makeup brushes squeaky clean (permission to judge!). I know better. However, when I do get around to washing them, I like to use a sulfate-free cleanser. I use a sulfate-free shampoo for my hair, so the same logic applies for my natural-fiber makeup brushes. I like Trader Joe’s Tea Tree Tingle shampoo because of the zingy, peppermint scent and gentle formula. Dr. Bronner’s also makes a great castile cleanser that would work well.

Squeeze a generous amount of sulfate-free cleanser into your palm and wet the brush. Lather the brush in your palm, agitating the cleanser. Rinse under warm water. If you go as long between brush washings as I do, you may have to repeat this step two or more times. Repeat as many times as needed until the water runs clear when you rinse the brush. Lay flat on a towel to dry. Do not stand upright to dry because the water will pool in the ferrules and dissolve the glue.

That’s it! Sparkling clean brushes and clear complexion to boot! ;)

XO, J

P.S. My favorite makeup brushes are by Real Techniques. They’re super durable, really high quality, and so affordable.

Style

Brunchin’ In Style

December 9, 2014

SF-Style-Blogger-Style-2A few weekends ago, I went to brunch with a few other Bay Area style and beauty bloggers at Park Tavern in SF. We had so much fun chatting about real topics over some really good food (brioche french toast… hello?). It was so great getting to know these lovely gals! We talked about topics and challenges that all bloggers seem to face. It’s been a slow start for me, and it’s taken me a while to find a group of girls here that I feel comfortable with. It is great to know that there is such a down-to-earth, genuine group of bloggers that support one another here in the city. And of course we snapped a few photos after brunch… because! :)

SF-Style-Blogger-Style-3

SF-Style-Blogger-Style-1

SF-Style-Blogger-Style-4

Hat: Old Navy (similar here) | Jacket: H&M (similar) | Scarf: Abercrombie (old, similar) | Dress: Ralph Lauren (similar) | Tights: Hue | Boots: Frye | Clutch: Coach c/o (similar)

Photos by Mel SanV

XO, J

Gift Guide

Holiday Gift Guide 2014: For Her

December 1, 2014

the-wink-holiday-gift-guide

In keeping with tradition, I decided to put together another little holiday gift guide this year. This gift guide is specifically for the wonderful ladies in your life – your mom, grandma, sister, or best friend. Many of these items are also on my Christmas wishlist (hint hint)! ;)

  1. Thin gold stacking rings: I always love supporting local artisans, and these thin 14k gold stacking rings are handmade in Hallowell, Maine. Adorn her digits with these whisper-thin gold rings.
  2. Frends ‘Taylor’ headphones: She will be the most stylish lady on the subway with these white leather and rose gold headphones.
  3. Kate Spade Saturday ‘The Mini A Satchel’ in Blush: She will get TONS of compliments on this adorably petite and ladylike satchel. Guaranteed.
  4. Philosophy ‘Pure Grace’ rollerball: The perfect size to slip into her Mini A Satchel, this rollerball is fresh and feminine (and the only scent I wear).
  5. Diptyque votive candle set: Diptyque candles are known for their complex, feminine, and sophisticated scents. Give her an upgrade from those cloying, Christmas-scented candles and buy her this set of three.
  6. Kate Spade ‘Metro’ watch: I actually already own this watch and I’m obsessed with its classic blush band and mother-of-pearl dial. It seriously goes with everything!
  7. West Elm faux Mongolian lamb throw: She will love the touch of glam that this luxe throw adds to her home decor.
  8. Blue Apron gift delivery: There’s no greater gift than the gift of good food. We’ve been enjoying Blue Apron meals for a few months and these restaurant-quality meals would make a wonderful gift for the budding chef.

What’s on your wish list this year?

XO, J

P.S. Don’t forget to enter The Wink’s Christmas giveaway! The winner will be drawn Saturday, December 6th.