The May Agenda

On Long Island the flowers are blooming, the weather is getting warmer, and the sound of the ice cream truck coming down the block has become a nightly occurrence. I know that we are on the way to summer now, and I can hardly contain my excitement.

This month may not have started off the best—with an external Internet cable wire getting accidentally snipped (let’s just blame it on yard work, shall we?). Just one night sans Internet begs the question, how did we ever survive before it? Then again, when you are trying to run a blog, having a functional Internet connection is an important cost of doing business. But all is well that ends well, and Optimum got me up and running in no time.

So now that my Internet woes are behind me (and I hope not to have to publish another blog post from my iPhone), here’s what I have on the agenda this month:

Try: By now, you probably have read enough posts on this site about Stila’s Stay All Day line. It’s true—I love it—except when the weather starts to warm up and I feel caked under a layer of foundation. This is no reflection on the makeup, mind you, but rather a personal preference during the summer months to apply something a little lighter. Perhaps you’re of the same mindset? If so, then head to your nearest Sephora and check out Giorgio Armani’s Luminous Silk Foundation. I know…I know. You’ve probably read a lot of reviews raving about this product. And with good reason. As the name implies, the foundation is smooth as silk—and as light and weightless as they come. While the price point may not be budget friendly ($64 for 1 ounce), a little goes a long way. I’ve only been using it for about a week now, but I am very impressed with the coverage given how light the foundation is. And while we are on the subject of new beauty products, I’ve also added a NARS bronzing powder and MAC highlighting powder to my collection. I spy a beauty post in the making!

Do: I never would have thought to do a tour like this, nor did I even know one existed, but when I saw an upcoming New York City Underground Tour happening this month on Facebook, I was intrigued. Despite living in New York for most of my life, New York City and I are just starting to feel like old friends. And while I still walk almost everywhere I can (because the subway is just so confusing), this tour sounded like a great way to take in some New York City history—while perhaps gaining a better understanding of the subway system. The extensive two and a half hour tour begins at the Chambers Street Station and covers the old City Hall Station, Astor Place, and Grand Central Station.

Eat: I mentioned my new found love of RXBARs when preparing for my trip to Washington, D.C. If you love sweets as much as I do, you may have your suspicions about eating something that is healthy and actually tastes good. When I tried the RXBARs for the first time I was wary. There was something about the dates and egg whites in it that didn’t sit well with me. Then I tried the chocolate sea salt flavor…and, wow. It was delicious! While I would’t say it was like eating a candy bar, it was satisfying and sweet. This little treat is sugar addict approved!

Go: The wait is almost over for Fern Olivia’s retreat at Gurney’s Resort & Spa in Montauk, New York. If there were ever a week that I needed to head out East (Gurney’s is one of my favorite places and has the most incredible views) and get my relaxation on, it would be after this one. Well, you can still partake if you are in the Long Island area this weekend (May 5th – 7th; day rates are available, if you would like to attend for one day). While I can’t control the weather—and really hope predictions for rain on Friday and Saturday are wrong—this event will be memorable, complete with a well-come yoga session, followed by brunch, an aromatherapy and natural beauty workshop, and so much more. Click here to see the full schedule of events on tap for the weekend retreat, and be sure to follow me on Instagram Stories and Snapchat (@livinginsteil) for a behind-the-scenes look at the day.

See: If you just read the paragraph above, you know that I will be by the water this weekend. It has been a few months since I’ve stuck my toes in the sand, watched the waves crash against the shore, and took in the beachy sights. So, Mother Nature, if you are listening, could you just ease up on the rain this weekend? This working girl needs her beach time—even if it is only the beginning of May.

What’s on your agenda this month?