September was such a busy month for us. It was like busy-good vs. busy-bad. But, it was really busy.

I spent about 2 weeks in Mérida, Mexico so you’re going to see this trip heavily influence my September/October favorites. This was a much needed vacation and we had a great time. It’s a lovely city with amazing people. We liked it so much that we’ll visit again. Also, how weird is this? Fellow perfume blogger, The Scented Hound, was there when I was down there and we finally were able to meet in person! Wild, huh?

Oh, and stay tuned for my Mexico haul post which I hope to get posted soon. I’m so behind on everything.

Other than that, I went to Queens and bought too much Korean cosmetics/skincare and ate so much food.

On a side note, my grad program is kicking my ass. It’s been like 10+ years since I’ve been in school. As you can imagine, the adjustment to this is rather difficult. I don’t really have time to blog; hence, why this is just now getting posted. Something has to give.

Anyway, here’s my September 2016 Favorites:

Wearing (fragrance) – When I was in the States, the weather started to become less oppressive and I started to crave spicy scents. On my trip, I traveled with a few samples of orange blossoms and white florals. I wore Exotic Island Perfumer Orquidea Absoluta, the perfect dramatic lily for Mexico. I needed a big orange blossom like Houbigant Orangers en Fleurs. Oddly one of my favorites that I brought was Kim Kardashian (yes, really). I also wore Tom Ford Private Blend Neroli Portofino and Arquiste Infanta en Flor. Pro tip – perfumes last all 10 minutes in Mexico because it’s so dang hot. Just wear colognes because all of it evaporates before you’re out the door.

Summary – The best thing about September was buying fresh tuberose from Mayan women. I will never forget this.

 

 

Wearing (cosmetics) – I’ve been in one of those moods where I love buying and looking at cosmetics but not wearing it. This mainly has to do with the heat. However, I was rather consistent in September. I was all about my favorite liquid liner, TonyMoly Long Kinny Eyeliner, and a classic red-orange lipstick, NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Red Square.

Summary – I will never grow tired of black eyeliner and red lipstick.

Wearing (clothes) – It was a confusing month. I should have been planning fall fashions but I spent half the month in 90º+ and high humidity. I actually wore off-the-shoulder tops and high-waist trousers, both that I bought from Colombian clothing stores in my neighborhood that really specialize in soap opera sexy on a $15 budget.This is what I needed to wear while alone in a huge ex-convent in Mexico.

Summary – It’s true that mosquitoes favor black clothing. I was eaten alive.

 

 

Using (skincare) – I really simplified because of travel. And my skin looked amazing and of course, went crazy when I got back home (highly suspicious that stress is the source of all my skin problems). My favorite product that saved my skin and made going to the beach possible was La Roche-Posay Antihelios Tinted Sunscreen Fluid SPF 60. I have used the non-tinted one before but it left white stuff on my face. This one is perfect. It’s lightweight and smooth but the tint keeps it from looking spooky. And luckily, this tint matches my complexion perfectly. I don’t recommend it to everyone because of the tint, but for me, this is a HG product.

Summary – Thank you, La Roche-Posay. I can venture outside because of you . 

 

 

Eating/Drinking – Never in a million years would I have thought that I’d say this, but I was sick of tamal. I really burnt myself out on the delicious sweeter corn of Mexico. I had so many tamales. And then I had sopa de lima, you know, for variation. Oh, and if you are ever in Mérida, you must eat at Apoala! Everything was truly perfect.

Summary – And here I am, home in New Jersey, and I wish I were eating tamales.

 

 

Listening – I’m in a music rut. So, I have nothing to say here. Other than United ruined my flight to Mérida and we were stuck in Houston. I realized that everything I know about Houston, I learned from Swishahouse. I felt like those fans that would visit Nashville. This was me in Houston but super pissed at United Airlines.

Summary – Still tippin’ on four fours/wrapped in four vogues.

Watching – I have been so busy but I make time for Empire and RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars Season 2 (even though both of them are getting on my nerves right now).

Summary – We all have our guilty pleasures.

Reading – Mostly I’ve been reading software manuals but I did manage to get some non-school reading in. I read “The Folded Clock: A Diary” by Heidi Julavits. It was OK. If you have ever wondered what it is like to have a published writer as a friend, then you should read this. Otherwise, I found it a bit exhausting because it was like having a published writer as a friend but without any of the rewards of an actual friendship. That’s my issue with “diaries” in general. It’s like I those emails that a neurotic friend sends at 3 am. You respond and never hear back from them again.

Summary – Well, I read something that wasn’t about internet mapping and remote sensing. So, that was cool.

 

Wanting – Another vacation.

Summary – I know that sounds selfish af. But, really I need another distraction to get me through school and work stress and the elections. Trash TV isn’t enough to distract me.

What were your favorites from September? Did you do anything inspiring? Go anywhere inspiring? Eat anything inspiring?

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*Nordstrom, Amazon. All pictures are mine except for the Katya t-shirt from Huntees.com, Texas flag (austinflag.com), “The Folded Clock” from Amazon.