by Halley

Privilege

I listen to podcasts on my daily commutes and today’s episode broke my heart. It was about a brilliant boy from a bad neighborhood who clearly had the potential for greatness but also faced incredible odds because of the world he was born into. Malcom Gladwell said the story was “not inspirational, it [was] depressing”. I partially agree and partially disagree. I agree that it was depressing — I had a noticeable lump in my throat towards the end (I had laughed out loud on a few occasions while listening to podcasts, but I have not cried, yet). It was also inspiring, because it inspired me to think more about my own privilege and what I can do to help the many people out there who deserve and need our help. The people who are not given the many chances and opportunities that come with privilege; the people, like the boy featured in this story, who could go so far if the rest of us cared more. Continue reading →

by Halley

Friday Highlights

It’s been a sad week. The world lost two beloved souls, Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain. My heart goes out to their families and friends. I encourage everyone to read this article, which sheds some helpful insight on this pernicious disease that is more pervasive than many realize and takes too many lives. I’m looking forward to seeing Ocean’s 8 tonight and visiting an alpaca farm on Sunday.

by Halley

Skincare Routine SS2018

Last week, I wrote an introduction to skincare basics, and Evie shared her very extensive and learned thoughts on sunscreen. This week, I will share with you the details of my current skincare routine, tailored for the spring and summer, and all my favorite products (both old and new).

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by Halley

falling into the blogging rabbit hole

I worked quite a bit on the blog last weekend and through Monday night. By Tuesday I had to take a break to give my eyes a rest and to (finally) spend some quality time with Vincent (who has been very patient and understanding as I fell into the blogging rabbit hole). Ramping up the work here has been an exhilarating experience. My main objective in writing this blog is to help through sharing. I love sharing ideas, experiences, and discoveries – this is something I do regularly with my friends and now I hope to bring it to a larger audience. Continue reading →

by Halley

Australian Gold Botanical SPF 50 Tinted Face Mineral Lotion

I have a reputation for being a sunscreen fiend (I fully endorse Evie’s post), which means I’m constantly telling everyone around me to put on more sunscreen, more frequently. However, one of the most common excuses / complaints I get is sunscreen feels greasy and heavy on the skin, and can cause clogged pores and breakouts. While I certainly don’t accept this as a valid reason for not wearing sunscreen, I understand where they are coming from. Continue reading →