Over the past couple of years, I’ve been sharing tid-bits of what I’ve been loving in a series I’ve called Obsessed.  The bummer about this series is that I boxed myself in with the title I chose and I feel like I have so much more to share with you about our little life here in CT than just what I’ve been obsessing over.  I want to give you a snapshot of what makes me tick; a slice of my life, if you will.  And I really want to hear what makes you guys tick too so feel free to chime in!

Music Love:

Beatles19621966

I’m a product of the 80s and 90s who grew up with parents whose music choices never really left the 60s and 70s.  My mom was of the opinion that “this is my car and I choose the music.”  You don’t mess with that.  As a teenager, I fell in love with The Beatles and nearly wore the Red Album *cough* CDs out (if that was even possible).  I never got tired of listening to Billy Joel either.  These days I’m finding myself craving James Taylor and Simon and Garfunkel.  I downloaded the Carole King and James Taylor Live at the Troubadour album over the weekend and omgomgomg I seriously can’t stop listening to it.  My childhood wrapped up in one nice little package!  I need to find the full PBS special and sit down with some coffee one night to watch the full show.

Beauty + Fashion Love:

Clinique Moisture Surge CC Cream.  I have some pretty strong reddish facial undertones and for a while, I’ve been looking for a cream foundation to use when I don’t feel like using powder.  So after agonizing over the decision of which BB cream to try (hi. terrible decision-maker here.), I went with Clinique’s CC Cream after reading this guide and a ton of other info on the web.  CC cream is sort of the next-gen of BB creams, incorporating the power to color correct (hence, CC) uneven and reddish skin tones.  It’s a miracle cream for me!  The cream blends flawlessly with my skin color and it’s so light that I don’t feel like I’m wearing anything.  It also covers up all the reddish tones without looking like I’m wearing any cream at all.  And with SPF 30?  This stuff is amazing.

they're real mascara by benefit

they’re real! by benefit. The best mascara I’ve ever tried.  Ever.  I was looking for a eyelash curler a couple months ago when one of the sales associates suggested this mascara instead.  It layers on medium-thick but not at all clumpy and the little bristle tip at the end separates and lengthens the lashes.  It is a little pricey for mascara but so worth it to me, considering I really only wear make-up on my eyes and my overall yearly make-up expenses are so insanely low.  The large version (0.3 oz) lasted me 7 months.

Thanks to Annie for touting these headbands a few months back.  I ordered a bunch of designs from Crimson Tate and am in love!  They come in especially handy when my bangs grow out to that unsightly length between cuts.

Lourve Me, Louvre Me Not by OPI.  I’m not one to stray too far from red nail polish but this shimmery deep purple…gah!  New favorite right there.

Link Love:

Dear Internet:

Happy 25th Birthday!  I hope you’re not dealing with a quarter-life crisis.  In case you feel like you need to go back your roots, don’t ever forget how far you’ve come.

Signed,
Where would my life be without you?

22 books to read based on your childhood favorites

22 books you should read based on childhood favorites. I almost want to toss my Paperwhite aside as a tribute to some of these books!  Are any of your favorites on this list?
In case you forgot what the much of the 80s and the early 90s looked like.  Woah.
31 things “Friends” taught us.  Friends forever!
Is this commercial running in your part of the country?  Oh heavens, it cracks me up every.single.time I see it!  “I unfriend you!”  Love it!
23 signs you’re an introvert.  I seriously identified with every single sign except for 2 or 3 of them.  Frighteningly true.
21 Things “The Goonies” Taught Me. Best. Movie. Ever.

Food + Kitchen + Home Love:

It’s garden-prep time!  We’re going to get our peas, tomatoes, and eggplant seeds started this weekend!  What do you want to plant this spring/summer?

Trader Joe’s Toasted Coconut Cookie Thins.  Oh.my.gah.  I can’t get enough of these cookies!  To me, they are sort of like the Milanos my mom used to hide from me and my brother in her purse: special little cookies that you’ll want to hog all to yourself.  Hah!  Also?  Those chocolate-dipped Dunkers?  Save me.

Mrs. Meyers Apple Hand Soap

Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Hand Soap.  Or more specifically, the honeysuckle scent.  The honeysuckle is like late June country air in a dollop of hand soap.  It’s heavenly and reminds me so much of driving down my grandma’s street with my mom – windows down with heads stuck out.  And the apple?  Dare I say it’s delicious?  Seriously, it’s like fresh apples in a bottle and my mouth waters every time I wash my hands…which isn’t a bad thing since it makes me want to eat apples.  I may or may not have bought a case of apple on Amazon.  I’ll be in big trouble if this company ever comes out with a brownie scent.

TV Love:

House_of_Cards_Season_1_Poster

Please tell me you’ve seen House of Cards if you’ve got Netflix?  I don’t know how it happened but we got sucked into another amazing series and now we’re withdrawing from the binge of Seasons 1 and 2.  Kevin Spacey is top notch here and Robin Wright is so evil she could pass for Cruella de Vil (even though she didn’t make The Huff Post’s list of potentials).  Up next: Scandal.

Disclaimer: I do not have affiliations with any of the companies mentioned here nor was I compensated for touting any of these products.  I just love this stuff and want to tell you all about it!

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Leave a Comment

  • Ellen
    March 15, 2014 at 10:27 AM

    Thanks for sharing that book list! I was just discussing my favorite children’s/YA lit with a coworker, and these recommendations seem spot on (based on the ones I’ve read).

    • taraliptak
      March 21, 2014 at 8:28 AM

      You’re welcome! I thought it was so interesting to see the modern versions of classic stories and I can’t wait to dig into them myself.

  • March 16, 2014 at 8:26 PM

    I could just read this list over and over again! My slightly crazy obsession with the Beatles (I was born in ’80) led to a “must” study abroad semester in England and my life has never been the same since. And one of the first albums I bought with my record player is “Tapestry.” Nothing like blaring some Carole King while getting ready in the morning! Ramona Quimby would approve.

    • taraliptak
      March 21, 2014 at 8:26 AM

      I SO wish I did a semester abroad in England! Definitely kicking myself about that even years later. Thanks for stepping back through memory lane with me, Rachel!