Underneathe It All (Not the No Doubt Song!)

When summer starts to wind down, all I want to do is be in the water. Unfortunately, this time of year is prime time for jellyfish spawn which makes the water around my area feel like you're swimming through partially-formed Jell-O that can hurt you.  Hooray! I wish I had better access to a pool without having to bother other people to use it, but I can't complain! I was spoiled last year going somewhere with beautiful, warm, clear water that had a bunch of cool creatures swimming around in it that was calm enough for me to see further underwater than I ever had before! Here are a bunch of beautiful photos that I find myself constantly looking at, wishing I was there floating around. All are care of Pinterest, my ultimate daydream machine that's chock-full of awesome underwater photography. Enjoy!

Pinterest

Pinterest

Pinterest

Pinterest

Pinterest

Pinterest

Pinterest

Pinterest

Pinterest

Pinterest

Pinterest

Well, that's enough for now. If you don't already want to dive into a clear body of water, then you certainly do now. Have a good weekend everyone!

Tropicooler Than Anything: Comptoir Sud Pacifique

Tropicool: Comptoir Sud Pacifique by elbonner featuring a flower perfume

Every once in a while, a true miracle happens that reminds you what it's like to be alive again. That little miracle happened this week when I checked the "What's New" section of Sephora's website. I was scrolling through, not expecting anything out of the ordinary when I saw a familiar name. Like the name of an old friend I thought had disappeared forever; one I never thought I'd see again. But there it was, Comptoir Sud Pacifique, a name I thought was forever damned to them realms of fragrance nostalgia websites! Comptoir Sud Pacifique is a fragrance line based around the scents of French Polynesia and it has E. By The Sea smeared all over it. Their fragrances range from sweet tropical fruits, to warm coconut, to fresh aquatic notes that are like a olfactory vacation. Not only did I find they re-released my favorite fragrances of the past,but they are selling smaller, roll-on versions FOR $20!! I nearly had a coronary and then promptly bought one. I remember begging for these as birthday gifts in high school and smelling them whilst watching half-loaded Roxy surf videos in the early days of high speed internet. This is the perfect time for this release because these are the only summer scents you will ever need. If you are not really into super fruity fragrances, wait around a bit, because Comptoir Sud Pacifique did have some floral fragrances in the past and I'm hoping they will make a comeback too. If your Coco Mademoiselle or your Miss Dior Cherie need to pack a lunch, get yourself a Tahitian vacation for as low as $20 with Comptoir Sud Pacifique's amazing frangrances! Bon Voyage!

Comptoir Sud Pacifique Available at Sephora

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Look Upon The Ocean...

The latest in my Pinterest sourced, dream-places. Wishing I could wake up to a better view one of these days. At least I can do it mentally!

Pearlicious Tahiti!

Pearlicious by elbonner on Polyvore

No, this isn't a post about how great pears are (pears are the worst), it's a post about how great Tahitian pearls are! I am obsessed with these little guys and can't get enough of their dusky, iridescent loveliness. Grown in special pearl farms in the lagoons of French Polynesia, Tahitian pearls are very sought after and make the most beautiful jewelry. Black pearls are really my only expensive jewelry interest (screw your blood diamonds!) and they're the only thing I would maybe super splurge on if I had the chance. My favorite creator of Tahitian pearl jewelry would have to be Pearl. Love. Jewelry. Every featured above is from this little dynamo of a company and I find myself coveting everything on their site at least three times a week. I would die to own one of their multi-strand bracelets! If you are fortunate enough to get your hands on one of these pieces, watch out, I may burgle you. Just kidding (don't test me)! What's great about Pearl. Love. is the way in which the pearls are displayed. There aren't any gaudy jewels or weird settings/metalwork you'd find if he went to Jared to get your pearls. It's as if someone just pulled the oyster from the ocean, popped it open, strung the black pearl on a leather string, and gave it to you. I love the rawness and simplicity of it all! It's like someone made it especially for you on a rainy Sunday afternoon after a fabulous pearl hunting trip to Tahiti. Anywho, before I get too whimsical, check out Pearl.Love. Jewelry for a nice gift for a friend, family member or loves one. It would make the most schmooze-worthy Valentine's Day present ever, and it's not that far away, ladies and gentlemen! Hope you all had a good New Years and hello 2014!!

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Tahitian Dream

It's rainy and horrible outside so naturally, I'm thinking about the beach. If you're having a rainy, horrible day, I give this gift to you. I sit and watch these whenever things get to be too much or I'm just down in the dumps. Tahiti is my number one, reign supreme, holy shit dream destination. If someone took me there I would be in their debt forever! And if nobody ever does, I'll go there on my own! Maybe I'll never come back! Enjoy your mini Tahitian vacation!

Photo: Pinterest

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Vicariously Through You: Video Escapism

The seasons are in the longest goddamn transitional period ever. It can't make up its damn mind whether I need a coat, light sweater, or nothing at all and it's making me CRAZY! That means a lot of wasted outdoor spring opportunity spent inside which leads to me getting lost in the internet for hours upon end. Get lost, it's fun!

Roxy Spring/Summer videos always get me excited for the beach/jealous of Roxy models. Damn you and your ridiculously frequent trips to Tahiti!

The video may scream female objectivity, but all I want to do is dance! I mean, T.I. is having more fun in this video than anybody.

If I could have one ability that wasn't fantastical, like mind control or flying, it would be to sing. If I was given this ability, I would want to sing like Nadine Shah. Just Listen and you'll agree!

A 1960s home video of a surf trip from Northern Virginia to the Outer Banks and then down to Florida. Love stuff like this!

If I could sing in French, I would want to sound like Francoise Hardy.

It's well-known that I just don't care for Ohio, which is why I think this video is hilarious!

After the success of the first one, they outdid themselves with a new one that is even funnier than the first.

Okay, Okay. I've suckered you into a lazy post full of a bunch of random crap that I like, but hey, I probably killed like 45 minutes of your time. And if that's work time, even better! Surrender to the internet!

Make Me Beautiful: Monoi Oil

After my allergic reaction nightmare scab-face incident last week, I've been in tip-top form when it comes to skin care. And not just facial skin care, everywhere skin care. One of my very favorite ingredients for bodily skin care is monoi oil. Monoi is Tahitian gardenia flowers (tiare) that have been soaked in coconut oil. The flowers are then pressed, releasing their oils into the coconut oil created the ambrosia we call monoi. The best quality monoi is made in Tahiti where all the ingredients originated, and it is a wonderful thing. The best part is that it's pretty damn affordable and a little goes a long way. Monoi has just recently been recognized as a new skin care fad, but the practice of using monoi for massage and sun-damaged skin has been going on for hundreds of years by native Polynesians and Tahititans. There are a few products that are monoi based/centric that I totally love:

1. Monoi Tiare Tahiti: This stuff comes direct from Tahiti, costs $10 and even has a little tiare flower in each bottle. I use this on my hair as a mask when it's feeling dry and my skin when I need some serious moisture. Smells like a gardenia filled tropical paradise!

2. Carol's Daughter Monoi Hair Mask: Smells awesome and delivers some serious moisture. Great for after the beach or a cold day out.

3. True Blue Spa "Tahiti Sweetie" Body Lotion: Smells amazing and moisturizes really well. Great for after being out in the sun and before bed. I still feel moisturized when I wake up in the morning.

4. Hei Poa Lait de Monoi Tiare Spf 30: Don't smell like chemical laden sunscreen, smell like a Tahitian dream! This stuff protects and moisturizes so your day in the sun doesn't show up as premature aging or dryness. I love spray lotions too since they are much easier to absorb and this stuff has decent staying power.

Well, thats's my ode to monoi. I hope it gives you the extra push you need to try something new and natural that will do nothing but good for your skin and hair. There are a ton more products out there that contain this wonder ingredient and I can't wait to try more. Until then Vive le Monoi!

My Christmas Favorites

Well, favorites is a strong word here. I loved all of my presents, but some stood out a bit more than others because they were things that I really really wanted. I got a really good loot this year. I got great stuff from my family, my boyfriend, AND my secret santa at work! Here are a few of the things that I got from everyone (including myself):

(L-R)

Saffron Jame Le'a Perfume Oil- Smells like a tropical paradise full of plumeria flowers and sexy sunsets. This is a good mid-winter pick-me-up since I'm sick of wearing actual clothes.

Minnetonka Short Fringe Boots- So cute a fringy, but not obnoxiously fringy. They have enough to be fun, but don't make me look like a wannabe hippy that's trying too hard.

Oribe Apres Surf Hair Spray- Really awesome beachy hair spray. It's on-par with Bumble and Bumble Surf Spray which is the best stuff on earth. It smells awesome and gives your hair a piecey matte look aka sexy-ass hair.

Ksumi Tea Essentials Sampler- Lots and lots of delicious Russian style teas that come in a buttload of flavors. There's black tea, there's mate, there's grean tea, you've got some much to choose from! Every one I've tried (probably four by now) have been awesome. Also got two tins of tea, one a chai and one a Christmas themed tea. All are great!

Bath & Body Works "Meet Me in Tahiti" Candle- Smells like vanilla, coconut, and tropical island flowers take me to another place when I'm sitting in my tiny bathtub. Plus it had Tahiti in the name so it's a given that I was going to buy this. PS- I bought this for myself. Merry Christmas to me!

J. Crew Infinity Scarf-My secret santa got this for me right under my nose at the J. Crew outlet. It goes great with my army green jacket and little boots. It's a nice neutral brown with a pop of fluorescent orange. Super warm and super cute!

I also got a really sweet record player from my boyfriend. It was a big surprise because I wasn't sure he would indulge my hipster tendencies, but guess who was wrong! Now I just need some records to play and I'll be set!

I hope everyone who celebrates Christmas had a wonderful holiday and those who don't I hope you had a great day off unless some butthole made you work. Until next time, see you in the new year!