Book & Beauty Review: Delicious! by Ruth Reichl

So, I've had this idea brewing in the back of my mind for a couple of months now, and today is the first post! I love books, and I love beauty. I was trying to think of a way that I could offer beauty content in a completely different way. I don't want to compete with the DIY videos on Youtube, or beauty hauls... I want to share my beauty advice alongside some really great (and clean!) products in a new and interesting way. Enter the Book & Beauty Review!

I love to read. I find myself devouring a book every couple of weeks, and get lost in the setting- learning about the characters and letting their personas and appearances take shape in my imagination. Most people who know me, know about my reading 'habit' (hehe) and often ask for my recommendations on what to read next. I'm also doling out beauty advice- helping people find the right products to address their needs and makeup to create their vision. In a very natural way, it seemed right to bring the two things I'm passionate about together in a (hopefully weekly) Book & Beauty Review. 

The Book & Beauty Review will include a book review, and I will also tease out a beauty look from said book which I will share, tutorial-style, so you can try the look too! The topics, the characters, the backgrounds, the settings will all vary. I hope you will join me on this new adventure, and please leave comments with any suggestions for books that I should review next. Okay, here we go!

BOOK REVIEW: Delicious! by Ruth Reichl

I had been on a kick about food/cook/recipe infused novels, and tried to get my fix with a couple of other books (one being Blood, Bones and Butter- excellent writing, but the storyline ebbed and flowed which made it hard to really get in to) before landing on Delicious! The title and the book cover gave me pause, but my local bookstore sales associate said it was getting good reviews, and so I gave it a whirl. 

At first the writing (especially the 'food writing') felt a little try hard, but I let my judgements go, and found that I really enjoyed getting to know the quirky, immature, yet very talented main character- Billie Breslin. With a tragic past, and some well-appointed baggage to go with it, the depths of Billie's personality (and her history) are revealed to the reader in phases, brought out by different people and situations as you make your way through the book. The complexity of her character is alluring, but the real fun begins when her whole world falls apart and she discovers a secret room in a historic mansion in Manhattan. 

Without giving too much away, her secret room discovery ropes in a whole new set of characters through filed correspondences of a time past. This shift turns the book into more of a historical fiction piece- revealing attitudes, situations and behaviors of a difficult and important time. These characters are enchanting and effortlessly pull you through the book, wanting to find out more. 

The final chapters of the book connect everything- past, present and future- into a satisfying coming-of-age story about a woman who finally accepts her secret talents and through the support of those around her, comes to celebrate and share the gifts that she's been given.

BEAUTY REVIEW: Billie Breslin from the novel Delicious!

As the main character and narrator of Delicious! Billie paints a picture of herself as an average California girl. Not pretty, but not un-pretty. Normal. She is so enamored with her older sister Genie's beauty and perfection, she doesn't know how to accept and love her own beauty. It takes two years in Manhattan and a lot of persuasion from her more stylish work friends to push her towards finding her best self in her self expression. Luckily, she does. It starts with a wardrobe makeover, which doesn't fit the standard chic glamazon transformation we are used to (ie: Andy in the Devil Wears Prada), but she finds her own quirky style that makes her feel confident in her own skin. Next, she is referred to one of the best hairstylists in the city and putting full trust in this acclaimed expert emerges a totally different version of herself. And she loves it, as does everybody else. Her makeover is complete when she has her makeup done, and we better understand her features and how her makeup enhances them. 

I'd called her makeup look 'Burgundy Romance.' Purple and brown hues are swirled into her eyelids to compliment her brown eyes, while subtle pinks accent her cheeks and lips.

GET THE LOOK

1. Start with a tinted moisturizer to even skin tone. Pat on concealer where needed to cover and blend any imperfections. Keep the face coverage light. Billie is a Cali girl who doesn't want the makeup to wear her. I recommend using Suntegrity's 5-in-1 Tinted Moisturizer ($45). It leaves the skin dewy and adds just the right amount of coverage/ tint while protecting with SPF.

2. Next, with a quad eye shadow palette, use the brown shade at the outer corners of they eye and blend inward towards the inner corner- pulling the color across the lid, but focusing the majority of the color at the outer corner. Then, swirl upward toward your natural eye crease to blend. Use the lightest color next and apply from the inner corner, sweeping across the lid to blend with the darker color. Now, take the darker purple hue and smudge it into your lash line with small side-to-side motions. Add a coat (or two) of black mascara.

3. Select a slightly pink/ dusty rose colored cream blush and warming it with your fingertips, apply to the apples of your cheeks and sweep out and up towards the tops of your ears. Apply one or two layers, but blend out and down to keep the look more natural and subtle.

4. Lips are last. Billie is just getting into makeup, so the thought of lipstick is a bit much, but she feels comfortable sporting a lipgloss that is a shade or two pinker than her natural lip color. Choose a lipgloss that enhances your natural lip color slightly and apply a quick coat- blotting your lips together to rub it in evenly. One final tip is to take a touch of the lipgloss and dab it on the top of your cheekbones (blending down and out). It adds a touch of shine and helps lock in the color on your cheeks.

Ready to try Billie's look?! Shop these pure products:

ECO OUTFIT: SUMMERTIME CLEMENTINE IN DANIEL SILVERSTEIN

Is there anything better than an easy, stylish jumpsuit? How about a couple of separates that look like a jumpsuit (it makes visits to the restroom much more convenient- believe me). I was lucky enough to sport this two piece 'jumpsuit' by the talented Daniel Silverstein (whose label is made in the garment district of NYC using a zero waste design method) on a hot summer day in New York City.

Lightweight and flowy, I felt like a an autumn leaf swept along the sidewalks by the breeze. If you have yet to try the wide-leg-high-waisted trend, I can't recommend it enough. Such a great summer staple! Pair with a matching top or a contrasting color for a bit of color-blocking. 

Resi in Rosé

Rose is the hottest color of the season, and not just because it pairs nicely on a hot summer day with fresh fruit at a park picnic. Pink has had a strong run this spring, pulling it straight through into summer with some staying power. Even bridal looks are edging toward a more 'pretty in pink' makeup look, and I'm a huge fan! Universally flattering, pink in various shades brings out a youthful glow that counters our current obsession with bronze and contouring. It is far more subtle and fresh.

When Resi Stiegler, Jackson Hole native and US Ski Team downhill racer, was in town just long enough to schedule a shoot, photographer Lindsay Linton and I jumped at the opportunity to showcase her natural beauty and the lush backdrop of Cache Creek. Edging toward editorial, I exaggerated the pink eye and cheek- connecting them with long strokes. I also used a pink lip liner to create more definition on the under eye and then blended it with a touch of bronzer eye shadow, which made Resi's stunning blue eyes pop. 

Here is the full breakdown of all the products I used (clean and pure!):

Photos by: Linton Productions

ECO OUTFIT: EASY PARIS CHIC

In the past month, I have been to Tokyo and London, and I am now in Paris. I was of course looking forward to the croissants, but what I didn't plan on was how comfortable I would feel adjusting my style to meet the Parisian chic way of dressing. Perhaps I was French in a former life... I absolutely love the way they combine quality designer pieces with very wearable everyday pieces. A tee with heels and a designer accessory. Done. Or, a beautiful jacket and handbag paired with a romper and sneakers. Absolument parfait. Very little makeup and hair that isn't freshly washed, but revived with dry shampoo, is also the norm. I may never leave this place! haha

TEE, Everlane #transparent #fair #naturalfibers

SKIRT, The Reformation #upcycled #fair #local

PARIS: IL DE LA CITE

When I was in high school I prepared a presentation for my French class on Ile de la Cite. The famous island in the middle of Paris which houses the great Notre Dame cathedral. There was a written report, and even a miniature model (when your dad is an architect models and renderings become a separate language for communicating). Sadly, I don't remember much of the history, but I do remember the first time I visited Ile de la Cite as a seventeen year old on a school trip with my French-studying (and nervously trying to speak) classmates. The cathedral took my breath away, and deep down I knew there was something very spiritual and connected housed within those elaborate walls. Seeing the famous church again, the feelings returned. Some see religion at its worst (ominous and commanding) when they view the cathedral, but I see a beautiful piece of devotion. A building constructed out of devotion for something higher and personally interpreted by each of us. It was great to be back in her awe-inspiring presence, and if you haven't yet been to Ile de la Cite, I encourage you to go!

BUTTON DOWN, The Kooples, #naturalfibers #sustainablefibers #secondhand

PANTS, (similar to) 7 For All Mankind, #local #madeinUSA

SHOES, Nike #fair

BAG, Goyard #fair #quality #local

NECKLACE, Kohatu + Petros #fair #local