{Favorite Things of 2012}

Today, I am loving...

Favorite Things of 2012

Last year at this time, I began a tradition of writing down my favorite things and happiest memories from the previous 11 months. I consider it a great way to reflect and appreciate all that has happened, and serves as a reminder that life is what you make it. This year was especially adventurous, and I cannot wait to share my 2012 recap with all of you! But until then, I'd like to channel my inner Oprah and reveal a few of my favorite things:



Hair & Skin

1. Ojon rare blend oil

2. Blue Copper 5 firming elasticity repair

Nails & Makeup

1. Essie nail polish

2. MAC colored eyeliner

Adventure

My passport. I was able to visit 6 countries this year!

Fashion

1. LC Lauren Conrad Collection

2. 7 For All Mankind

  

Media

1. BBC World News

2. Bravo TV

Jewelry & Accessories

1. Kate Spade

2. Francesca's Collections

Spirituality

Bridgeway Community Church

Lifestyle

1. Earth Treks Climbing

2. Merriweather Post Pavilion

Drinks & Eats

Cappuccino & gourmet pizza!

Images via Pinterest 

{Sassy Schoolboy}

What I'm wearing today...

Channeling My Inner Schoolboy by Chateau de Victoria

Today I'm channeling my inner schoolboy. Over the weekend, I stopped by J. Crew and picked up a ridiculously perfect plaid blazer to go with my dark-colored toothpick jeans. Paired with gold jewelry, a fabulous orangey-red nail polish, my go-to fall/winter bag, a few spritzes of sexy perfume and some suede booties...I'm downright obsessed with the finished look! I've also been keeping it a little simpler these days with my makeup (I like a winged eyelid with a kohl liner, black lashes and a touch of blush/bronzer). I also decided my straight hair needed a little revamping this week; I've braided my hair into a bun and played around with curls! Big things are happening folks!!

Actually, they are. For one, I received a significant raise at work. Wahoo! I also just discovered that the back pain I've been enduring over the past several weeks is actually due to a herniated disk in my spine, which is also causing a nerve to be pinched. While this news sounds quite distressing, I'm very relieved to know exactly what the next steps are in the healing process! I've been given a neck brace to wear in the evening, a tens unit to wear whenever necessary and will be the recipient of several epidural cortisone injections. But I'm trying to stay positive! Though bummed I can't rock climb for awhile, I'm still able to work out (somewhat) and stay fit. At the end of the day, I'm a lucky lady...all things considered!

Images via Pinterest 

{Wishful Thinking}

Today, I am loving...

Creating a...

Holiday Wish List 2012 by Chateau de Victoria

1. // 2. // 3. // 4. // 5. // 6. // 7. // 8. // 9. // 10.

Celebration mode is in full swing! After sharing a wonderful Thanksgiving with family and indulging in a delicious display of food, the holidays are officially underway. According to my calendar, Thanksgiving Eve marks the beginning of an amazingly long period of festive shenanigans, social gatherings and a LOT of cooking/baking/eating. I love this time of year, especially since I am about to turn 25 at the end of the week! The past several months have been marked by many exciting travels, personal accomplishments and an abundance of grace. I'm looking forward to celebrating all that has been and is to come with the people I love most.

BUT! I also love celebrating the most important people in my life. While I enjoy doing activities with my family, I have such a blast giving them gifts as well. I got a little excited about all the recent deals going on that I'm pretty much done my Christmas shopping! I may or may not have harassed urged each of my family members into creating their wish lists ridiculously early, but I think they'll thank me for it later. And though there isn't anything I could possibly need, I also had a little fun picking up some items I've had my eye on for awhile...and created my own birthday/Christmas wish list. I have some really big wishes for 2013, but right now I'm incredibly thankful for all that I've already been given! Life is good :)

Images via Polyvore and Pinterest

{Instagram Moi}

Follow me on Instagram

@vmaruca

(and join in on my adventures!)

www.instagram.com/vmaruca

Images courtesy of © 2012 Chateau de Victoria

{Factory Girl}

Today, I am loving...

Andy Warhol

by Nars

Pop Factor. Colorful. Fashion Statement. Vibrant.

As soon as I spotted this collection I knew I had to share it with all of you fab readers (unless you already know about it, in which case let's just pretend you are as giddy with joy as I am!!). Nars has a pop-art inspired collection currently selling in Sephora and a factory-inspired collection that will hit stores November 1st!

What kind of Warhol girl are you?

Pop Art or Factory?

I am and always will be a huge Andy Warhol fan. His work first inspired me back in the early days of college and even in the early days of this blog. If you ever find yourself in Pittsburgh, do yourself a favor and go visit his museum! 

[snapshots from my visit back in 2008]

"People need to be made more aware of the need to work at learning how to live because life is so quick and sometimes it goes away too quickly."

-Andy Warhol

Images via Sephora and Chateau de Victoria

{Brightening Up The Office}

What I'm wearing today...

Brightening Up The Office by Chateau de Victoria

Live a colorful life.
Be a colorful person.

Images via Polyvore

{Nail MOJO}

Accessorize yourself with...

Colorful Nails

To say that I have an obsession with nail polish is probably an understatement. I love painting my nails. Blame it on the fact that actually having nails is a recent phenomenon (I was a biter up until two years ago), but it's something I really enjoy doing!

Of course, rock climbing has put a damper on my ability to maintain long nails...but it hasn't stopped me from keeping my hands colorful and creating quite a collection!

If you're like me and also share a passion for collecting nail polish, reach out to friends or family that have a cosmetology license and see if they can help you purchase lacquers at a cheaper price! Also, ask a store clerk if they happen to have any extra stands that you could use to store your polish. They sure do come in handy! 

Of course, one thing that can be a pain when it comes to painting your nails is how long they can take to dry and how easily they chip! In addition to using a top coat, I absolutely recommend OPI Drip Dry. I promise you will become an avid user! 

Do you have favorite nail polish brand? Nail color? If so, I'd love to know your recommendation(s)!

Images courtesy of © 2012 Chateau de Victoria

{Pretty in Pink}

What I'm wearing today...

Pretty In Pink by Chateau de Victoria

"He's employed, he's heterosexual. I swear to God, I'm so far ahead of the game, next time you see me I'll probably be picking out china patterns."

-Pretty In Pink

{Be Bright. Be Bold.}

What I'm wearing today...

Be Bright. Be Bold. by Chateau de Victoria

"If I'd observed all the rules, I'd never have got anywhere."

-Marilyn Monroe

{Easter Baskets Gone Wild}

Today, I am loving...

Easter Baskets

I love Easter. I enjoy going to church on Easter Sunday, basking in the warmer temperatures and spending time with family. Now I don't know about you, but I really miss partaking in easter egg hunts. Just this past weekend, our neighbors held one for their grandkids and it was adorable to watch all of the kiddos running around hunting for eggs. Why don't we get that excited over candy anymore? Well, maybe egg hunts aren't as popular for us adults...but what about giving and receiving Easter baskets? I decided to have some fun and put together a few "themed" baskets for those of you who enjoy this aspect of the spring holiday. Perhaps you have a parent, friend or significant other you want to create one for...enjoy!

Easter Basket Ideas: The Fashionista by Chateau de Victoria

Easter Basket Ideas: The Studmuffin by Chateau de Victoria

Easter Basket Ideas: The Beauty Guru by Chateau de Victoria

Easter Basket Ideas: The Solar-Powered Kid by Chateau de Victoria

Easter Basket Ideas: The Foodie by Chateau de Victoria

"Easter spells out beauty, the rare beauty of new life."  
~S.D. Gordon