Lipstick & Tea

Prepare yourself for a collection of completely unrelated thoughts and photographs. Welcome to my mind.

I think lipstick is absolutely wonderful to photograph. I borrowed two gorgeous shades of MAC lipstick from my roommate. One is a deep cherry red color from the MAC Frost lipsticks called "New York Apple", and the other is lighter, peachy pink from the MAC Lustre lipsticks called "Curtsy". I absolutely love the "Curtsy" shade. It's a perfect color for summer, and it can go with both casual and dressy outfits. It's more on the natural side, but it still has just enough color to draw attention to your lips. Definitely my pick for Summer 2012. Pucker up!

For my 18th birthday, my future roommates surprised me at midnight with something I've been dying to get my hands on for the past few years. A white Fujifilm Instax Mini 7S (I named her Janie). A dream come true. I think I might've screamed out of excitement when I saw the box. If there's one thing you should know about me, it's that I love love love polaroids. Nothing compares to the excitement of watching a photo develop before your eyes, within minutes of taking the photo. While digital photography has advanced far beyond what I could've ever imagined, there is still a special place in my heart for film photography. Obviously you can't control the focus or the aperture or the shutter speed or the ISO, and there are only three pre-set settings for lighting, but I could not be more excited for the many adventures in store for Janie and me. So huge, huge thanks to Kelly, Cynthia, and Jenny. :)

Earlier today, as I was doing everything I could to put off my schoolwork, I discovered a corner of my room that gets some amazing light. The sun shines beautifully through the window and tiny shadows dance on the brick windowsill. So I pulled out a pair of my favorite Oxfords, set them on the windowsill, and shot away. There is a tall pine tree just outside my window, and as the breeze tickles the branches, the shadows come to life. No two photos are the same, for the shadows are always changing. I love that unpredictability.

I have a short list of things that I really wish I liked. Tea is one of those things. I love the thought of sipping tea from an adorable little porcelain tea cup while reading a book in the backyard, with the lush green grass tickling my toes. Or relaxing by the fireplace on a rainy day, enjoying chocolate croissants with a hot cup of jasmine tea. But unfortunately, my taste buds don't quite enjoy tea as much as my mind does. Maybe someday my taste buds will change. Here's to hoping. I do, however, greatly enjoy Arizona Raspberry Iced Tea and Razzleberry Peace Tea. That's a start, right? I bought this Tazo Awake black tea for my sister, since (lucky for her) she loves tea. "A breakfast tea of boldness, depth and character, invigorating any time of day."

What is your favorite shade of lipstick? And what kind of tea do you like best?

xx Kristin

Something About This Place

Some places just have a way of resonating in your heart, capturing your imagination, and inspiring the dreamer inside us all. There are two cafes in San Luis Obispo that I have fallen head over heels in love with: Kreuzberg, CA Book Bar and Coffee Lounge and Sally Loo's Wholesome Cafe, both conveniently located in downtown SLO. Not simply because of the mouth-watering menu, but because of the delightful interior design and the effervescent atmosphere.

There's something about Kreuzberg that made me feel at home the second I walked in. There are hundreds of paintings and books lining the walls, vintage lamps hanging from the ceiling, and antique sofas and chess sets everywhere. The menu items are all named after famous authors; I usually order the Shel Silverstein or the Dante. Cutest place ever. :)

I had often heard about Sally Loo's, but I never actually went there until my birthday earlier this month. I absolutely adored it. It was love at first sight, and the delicious food just boosted my love for this cute little cafe. Let's just say I want my future home to look like that. Light turquoise paint and brick walls, leather couches, wooden coffee tables, abstract paintings, and unique light fixtures. My sister and I ordered a Waffle with Fruit and a Sir Thomas Turkey Panini, and we both ate half of each. It was nothing short of delicious. And to top it all off, they had tiny mason jars to use as water glasses. Pretty sure Sally Loo's and I were meant to be. Can't wait to go back and try the Acai Bowl!

(Update: Finally tried the Acai Bowl, and let's just say it was heaven to my tastebuds. It's my new favorite thing to order at Sally Loo's, and there's never a time when I'm not craving it!)

These photos don't even do them justice, so you'll have to go check them out for yourself if you haven't already! If you like adorable cafes with tasty breakfast food and sandwiches, you'll definitely love Kreuzberg and Sally Loo's. The best places in SLO, if you ask me.

What are some of your favorite places to go to in your city? What makes them special?

xx Kristin