Hearts Are Floating For...Birchbox - Spring 2013

Spring brings with it a sense of renewal. And with a change of seasons, a change in my beauty routine too. Here's the new products that I've begun incorporating thanks to my monthly Birchbox subscription.

March 2013 - March Madness: Inspired by the excitement of sports, this box is filled with "up-and-coming rookies to veteran all-stars".

* Benefit Cosmetics | Stay Don't Stray

* Caldrea | Body Lotion

* Evologie | Intensive Blemish Serum

* Whish | Shave Crave Shaving Cream

* Madewell for Birchbox | Emery Board

April 2013 - Tiny Tweaks, Big Results: Birchbox teamed up with Women's Health Magazine to put together some of their favorite products that make a big impact.

* Nexxus | Youth Renewal Rejuvenating Elixir

* SKIN&Co Roma | Cleansing Body Gel with Olive & Sicilian Orange Extracts

* StriVectin | StriVectin-SD Eye Concentrate for Wrinkles

* Youngblood Mineral Cosmetics | Anti-Shine Mattifier

* Weleda | Body Lotion

May 2013 - Birchbox Beauty Diaries: Inspires us to tell-all about our favorite products, routines and techniques.

* amika | Obliphica Nourishing Mask

* Beauty Protector | Protect & Detangle

* COOLA | Classic Face SPF 30 Cucumber Moisturizer for Face

* Isaac Mizrahi | FABULOUS Issac Mizrahi Eau de Parfum

* Sumita | Color Contrast Eyeliner

* amika | Obliphica Hair Treatment

Hearts Are Floating For...The Downtown Kansas City Art Fair

Over the weekend I wandered a few blocks from my home to the Downtown Kansas City Art Fair. I had walked through last year but nothing memorable stuck with me. This year I was greeted by these giant animal sculptures which is a good start in my opinion.

I liked these because they remind me of my blog, Hearts Are Floating.

But the winner of the show was Sugarpost. I saw the crowds gathered around the booth long before I knew what everyone was smiling at. I immediately fell in love with the gnome be gone creatures. They reminded me of gremlins getting into all sorts of trouble. 

I left the show and went home but I couldn't stop thinking about one gnome in particular. A few hours later I went back and bought her.

This is Ellie. She now sits on my bathroom counter among my infinite tubes of lipstick. She likes lipstick.

I also found this fun video about the artist, Fred Conlon, and how Ellie and her friends came to be.

Hearts Are Floating For...Dinner - San Francisco Style

Last week, I was fortunate enough to travel to San Francisco on a business trip. I fell in love with the city which to me is a mixture of the quaintness of Boston with the laid-back, easy vibe only found in California. It is also a city filled with amazing food...much of it prepared with fresh, organic ingredients. I was there for four nights and was able to experience some of the top restaurants in a variety of cuisines. Each was amazing and I would definitely recommend if you are ever in the Bay Area!

Night #1 - The Slanted Door

This is Vietnamese food at its finest with a beautiful view of the Bay Bridge. Make a reservation weeks in advance as this is not a restaurant you can walk into without notice. We gorged ourselves on oysters, yellowtail, slanted door spring rolls, barbecued willis ranch pork spareribs, green papaya salad, grass-fed estancia shaking beef, stir fried organic chicken, caramelized wild gulf shrimp, and chue farm sugar snap peas.  

Night #2 - Dosa 

Dosa serves up South Indian cuisine using organic and sustainable ingredients. But the real star of the show is the drinks. The Bengali Gimlet and I became fast friends (Tanqueray Rangpur Gin, curried nectar, lime juice, served up). The other must-have: the classic masala dosa...an enormous crepe-like dish that is perfect for sharing.

Night #3 - Foreign Cinema

Hands down one of my favorite restaurants of all time. I was in love the second I stepped into the outdoor courtyard with white lights strung above and a documentary playing against a white, brick wall. If the atmosphere wasn't enough, the food was even better...an extensive oyster bar where I sampled a variety of west coast options, ahi tuna, and a halibut dish that was so good I had to restrain myself from licking my plate. And to top it off, Valrhona chocolate pot de creme with caramel popcorn 

Night #4 - Gott's Roadside

The last night I was on my own for dinner so I chose Gott's Roadside, a casual and iconic gourmet burger stand. All the reviews I read raved about the Ahi Tuna Burger so I had to see for myself...and they were right. Paired with garlic fries and a glass of wine, it was the perfect way to end my trip.

Patiently waiting for my food.

The Embarcadero - Outside of The Slanted Door and Gott's

* Photos of Nights #1-3 taken from restaurant websites. Gott's photos belong to me!