Laundry by Shelli Segel Lace Sheath Dress: Sometimes it can be hard to find a good (and yet, still comfortable) cocktail dress. I was recently sent this gorgeous dress and now I’m actually hoping I get invited to something fancy this week so I can wear it. The color is amazing and the fabric feels soft and has some stretch to it, which I love.
Viewfinder app: It’s basically your camera roll re-imagined. So instead of just picking one or a few photos to share with your whole social network via Instagram, Viewfinder takes it up a notch by displaying and organizing all of your memories. It’s a personal assistant of sorts for your photos which, personally, I REALLY need.
Frederick’s Knit Romper: I’ve never been a fancy pajama person but I actually really enjoy wearing this romper around my apartment…though, I definitely DO cover up when the UPS guy comes knocking.
Boscia Cool Blue Calming Mask: I’ve been loving this cool, calming mask for my sensitive skin! It’s also great for summer, since it’s so hot out, and of course it’s also fun to peel off the blue colored mask.
Evaluate your hand writing. Weird, isn’t it? The fact that we all use computers now makes it really difficult to hand write a note or simple sentence! Also, let me know if you’re an LA-based manicurist who wants to volunteer! (image)
Try a Flywheel Sports class. Seriously, they’re fun and a KILLER workout (image)
Last month I posted about a little something called FOMO. I find that summer is probably the best time of the year to try new things and experience fantastic firsts that you can’t wait to make a regular part of the season…and trying Jack Honey’s versatile “something for everyone” taste is one of them. The Jack Summer Swarm photo contest is all about sharing the excitement of those firsts, e.g. those experiences you’re glad you didn’t miss out on.
Jack Daniels is asking people to submit photos of their own most awesome, FOMO-driven summer moments for a chance to win the Ultimate Summer Trip—(a $5000 travel voucher to plan exactly where, when, and how they want to travel).
The winning photo is partly decided by popular vote on the site, so sharing with friends is key. There are also prizes every week just for voting, as well as for simply submitting photos, so there’s added incentive to vote for your friend’s pics (so basically, make sure you vote).
Above are my favorite photos…I mean do they not just scream summer?! Check out the site and let me know which three are your favorites and, of course, don’t forget to vote.
You know I’m a sucker for some luxe packaging but guys, I also love me some drugstore beauty products. Sure, a lot of products might not be that great but if you weed through the losers (much like dating, right?), you can find some real GEMS…let me tell you. The ladies at AFabLife.com asked me to pick my favorites and here they are:
3. Sally Hansen Fuzzy Coat nail polish in “Tweedy” – I discovered this nail polish only two weeks ago while browsing at Target! Love it. You can wear it alone or layer it over a solid color.
Famous people like to hear the truth (ok, maybe most of the time)
Spend your time doing what you love and enjoy doing
A great hug is underrated
Some men DO really like cats
Be thankful and appreciate every moment
I struggled with whether or not to write something about Cory’s tragic passing; to say that his death came as a shock to me is a total understatement. Though I hadn’t spent time with him in over a year, at one point I did see him often and was always greeted with a smile and a GIGANTIC HUG. At the time, I would laugh about his hugs to our friends and jokingly refer to them as “borderline inappropriate” because they were those deep, close hugs where someone literally wraps their arms around you and your entire body, and they lasted just a tad too long (but hey, I wasn’t complaining). It’s kind of crazy to think how happy I’d be to have one of those hugs right now, and that’s just it. Cory was the kind of person who you instantly felt comfortable around and wanted to spill all of your secrets to. It’s kind of unreal to meet a person like that even once or twice in your life, which is why he’ll always have a special place in my heart. Cory’s laugh was contagious and it was very difficult to not smile and giggle when he was around. He was kind, giving, and compassionate toward others, which are qualities that are sometimes rare here in Hollywood.
Cory was also the kind of person who didn’t cut the line at the Empire State Building…I’ll never forget that one. He told me about how, when Glee first started airing, he was in New York and really wanted to go to the top of the iconic building…why not, right? He got into line and a guard came up to him and said “hey man, I know who you are…you don’t have to wait in line.” Cory politely declined. “What?!” I asked as he’s telling me this story. “I mean…lines suck.” He then told me “I don’t want to be THAT guy. I want to be treated just like everyone else…but THAT is when I knew things in my life were about to change…” He, of course, was referring to fame – a completely foreign and somewhat scary concept to him.
One of my favorite memories of Cory is kind of a silly one, but it’s important and meaningful to me. A few of us were hanging out by his pool and I told a funny story that kind of just fell flat (hey, it happens to everyone). I could tell that my face was turning a little red and I felt stupid. I looked around for some assistance and then I locked eyes with Cory. He smiled at me and said, “I TOTALLY get it.” It’s small but it’s one of the little things that good people do for others. THAT is the kind of person Cory Monteith was. He had his demons, he tried to fight them and, sadly, he lost, but I will always remember Cory for saving me from embarrassment and, of course, a few other things: our mutual hatred of country music, his Twitter obsession (FANS: he DID read all your tweets, by the way), our talks/his advice on what I want to do with my life and, lastly, the shockingly honest and vulnerable way he embraced his sobriety for so many years. For someone with that many demons, it couldn’t have been easy; I admire him for that.
If you finish reading this post and take away even just ONE insight on Cory, I ask you to take this: please don’t remember him for being another victim of “Hollywood, fame and fortune.” One, because that was his worst nightmare and two, because Cory isn’t a victim at all. Cory achieved almost everything he ever wanted out of life and, as sad as I am that he passed at such a young age, I at least take some comfort in that fact. Rest in peace, Cory. You will be desperately missed.
To make a donation in Cory’s honor, you can visit Project Limelight, a charity that he supported for many years.
