I celebrated my 40th birthday yesterday. It seems like forever to some, but time has gone by so fast - especially the good moments. I don't feel old and thanks to botox, I don't look old either!

Yesterday was the perfect 40th birthday celebration. Thank you Teddy for enduring another photo shoot. You're a super star poodle model.

I was not aware of most of these 1980 facts, but in all fairness, I was a baby! I'm a little disapointed in the "famous people born". Was hoping for someone with more depth. I suppose Ryan Gosling is ok - Who doesn't love The Notebook?!

I can't believe Post-It Notes were invented in 1980 - I love them! I'm one of those old people that refuses to keep notes on my iPhone and sticks pastel-shades of Post-It Notes everywhere. 

My little dog model went to doggy daycare for the first time yesterday. I spent my birthday lunch watching him on the daycare webcam. He sat in the corner and closely observed the regulars. I'm sure he was overwhelmed and hope he gets comfortable at daycare in the near future..

By the time we did this birthday photo shoot, he was exhausted.

Thank you Shai for the lovely flowers and Limerick poem. It reads..

• Happy f@#$&@! birthday Kim
• Today we will not be grim
• You are my best BUD
• Here's flowers, no mud
• Another year, we'll get slim
• Love Shai

This Urban Stem bouquet is called the Limerick - hence the humorous poem!

I purchased my Forty AF t-shirt and Hello 40 socks from Etsy. I frequent this site for celebratory products. The apparel is good quality and inexpensive. There's also a wide variety of items for every occasion.

Urban Stems is my go-to online flower delivery company. Thank you husbano for the Metropolitan bouquet and your kind words. Oh and thank you Teddy - I love that you singed the card by yourself!

My favorite - a Dior box. I LOVE my new kicks. They're a step down from the oversized "dad shoe", but still sporty. These Dior sneakers are super light and super white (wish me luck keeping them that way).

My birthday celebration ended with famous Georgetown Cupcakes - delicious! I could barely eat one, cause they're so sweet. It was great day - Bindass for lunch and cupcakes for dinner.

Here we are dancing to The Git Up. Thank you husbano for the perfect birthday. I plan on celebrating all week and can't wait to see what else you have planned..

As of late, I find myself perusing home decor and neglecting my long-time beauty and fashion fixation. A few months ago, I purchased a home. I've been obsessing over decor, storage and lifestyle. SO, my fashion hiatus has prompted me to launch a lifestyle section on my blog..

One of the first decor ideas that came to mind when I initially viewed my soon-to-be new place was the oversized shelves in the kitchen - It is the perfect space for growing Modern Sprout hydroponic herbs. 

I've been growing hydroponic herbs inside a countertop, LED lit greenhouse for years, but my new open space urged me to ditch the greenhouse and install a Modern Sprout LED grow light. 

Modern Sprout was started by two regular, but thoughtful thumb-colored people. The indoor gardening company focuses on hydroponic growing methods of herbs, flowers, small trees and salad greens. Modern Sprout also has grow kits for outdoor gardening. 

Initially, Modern Sprout sold herbs, but they've expanded into other plants with new jars, vases, hydro planters and biodomes. This in-home gardening method is perfect for small spaces and for folks that live in the city and are lacking outdoor space. 

I'm partial to herbs, especially basil, oregano and sage. I use these herbs regularly and love that they're grown in my home, without chemicals. I also find these herbs last much longer than an herb plant purchased at the grocery store.

I tried growing mint many times and was unsuccessful, but the herbs listed above are low maintenance and always a success. The mint plant pictured above was purchased a the grocery store. 

The start-up process is easy. Each Garden Jar comes with a steel net pot, polypro wick, coco pith disk, growing medium, activated carbon, organic seeds and instruction Manuel. 

Pull the polypro wick to one inch below the edge of the steel net pot, fill the pot with the growing medium and run warm water over the medium for 30 seconds. Fill the Garden Jar with water (about 2 cups). Place the coco pith disc on top of the growing medium and gently run water over it until the pith completely expands and you are able to spread the soil around. Add the activated carbon and then the seeds. Push the seeds into the soil (mint seeds should remain above the soil). Set your Garden Jars under a LED grow light and wait..

When your little herb garden begins to sprout, empty the water. Mix a little plant food with 2 cups of water - pour most of it in the jar and a little over the soil and through the net pot. Repeat..

This is basil, sage and oregano after one week. The herbs take a little while to get going, but if you maintain them, they will grow up to 12" high. I suggest moving your LED grow light higher as they grow. 

The basil Garden Jar is my favorite. The leaves are a good size and it smells amazing. I use fresh basil in everything; pasta sauce, over baked chicken, in salad and beverages - Add a few basil leaves to hot water for a refreshing beverage.

ALSO, basil freshens your breath - So, chew on a few leaves when necessary.

AND, basil is an excellent source for vitamins. The extracted oil can be used to treat wounds and skin infections.

You can purchase a Modern Sprout Grow House with an LED grow light. It fits nicely on the countertop, is appealing to the eye and can hold up to four Garden Jars. It's super expensive, but mine lasted years - I gave it away and I'm sure it will keep glowing for a few more. 

My oversized kitchen shelf is the perfect space for a hydroponic garden. But, this time I went with the Modern Sprout LED grow light. I purchased two (one for each counter), but..

I struggled (REALLY HARD) with the idea of drilling holes in to my cabinetry to accommodate the grow light, but after a full day of contemplating, considering different options and having a breakdown, I went for it. I'm beyond happy with the outcome. 

I screwed two small holes in the roof of the cabinetry to hold small black chains, attached the grow light and drilled a larger hole in the side of the cabinetry for the power cord. Luckily, I have an outlet in the cupboard next to the shelf (for the microwave). 

The grow light has three settings and an automatic on and off option. I opted for the 12 hours on and 12 hours off. Choose the time of day you want the light to come on, set the timer, press the on button and hold till the light reaches maximum strength. Each day, your grow light will turn on and off at the same time. 

The Modern Sprout hydroponic indoor garden is easy to maintain, looks great, is a conversation starter and will give you plenty of fresh herbs. I LOVE this gardening method. 

October 30th - It's been about two months since I planted my Modern Sprout herb garden jars and this is the result. The herbs are growing fast and the basil is delicious. Once a week I empty the old water, add plant food to two cups of fresh water and pour most into the jar and then a little on the soil. 

An indoor herb garden is perfect for colder seasons. I love my indoor herb garden and wish I had more space to expand.. 

I'm addicted to cosmetics! Even though my Cosmocube is overflowing and my beauty studio stash (products awaiting photos and reviews) is abundant, I can't control the need to peruse the online Sephora store OFTEN. The Just Arrived section is the latest and greatest lineup at the cosmetic Mecca of the world.

With transparent bags trending this Spring/Summer, attractive products and accessories are a must. Here's a few fun items that will brighten up your summer.. Of course, everything is pink - I'm obsessed!

I'm a HUGE fan of the Sephora Collection. The cosmetics typically cost less then most brands, but maintain a high-quality standard. There's always new products in the just arrived section online and currently 500+ items to peruse.

This Sephora Collection Love You Beary Much Retractable Brush is super cute. It's the perfect gift for a budding amateur and their little girl makeup kit AND for an expert with a free-spirited, cute sense of style. 

This charming bear has a a retractable swivel brush that allows you to control the amount of bristles used and thus create a number of brush styles. The rounded bristles are dense and super soft.

Just remove the bears head, push down on the plastic column and apply blush, bronzer and powder foundation. I suppose you could use this brush to apply liquid foundation, but it's gonna leave a mess inside the bears head. 

This delightful design also includes two tiny brushes in the bears stomach - so cute! The small angled brush and spoolie are great for shaping and enhancing your eyebrows. This plastic bear case isn't gonna fit in my everyday cosmetic bag, but the two little brushes are the perfect mini-size.

The Love You Beary Much retractable brush is made from plastic and is lightweight. It's a little challenging to get the white door open the first few times, but the cute bear head removes easily and pops back on nicely. LOVE!

YES! This ionic technology blowdryer has a vanilla-scented infuser that exudes a sweet scent while you blow-dry your hair. It's BRILLIANT! The Sephora Collection Sweet Scents Perfume Infusing Blowdryer contains a removable "Sweet Bunny" infuser that looks like a cartoon bunny and smells delicious. LOVE! 

The vanilla scent reminds me of Strawberry Shortcake (the doll). It's pleasant, BUT super-strong. I'm popping Advils while I type this review! If you are sensitive, you can remove the vanilla scent "Sweet Bunny", but that would kinda defeat the purpose?! 

I hope this innovative tool is a success and Sephora Collection releases new "Sweet Bunny" scents. Coconut and chocolate are at the top of my list - HINT HINT..

The lightweight dryer is foldable and has an ultra-quiet 110V DC motor. The handle is ergonomically correct and comfortable to hold. AND, there is a multi-step switch for drying options. This gentle ionic dryer comes with a pouch and is great for travel.

The plastic design feels a little cheap, but what it lacks in quality, it makes up for cute, innovative design. This pink and white, vanilla infused hairdryer is PERFECT for a little girl or an immature big girl! Ladies and gents obsessed with pink and child-like products - don't be offended, keep doing you and enjoy your vanilla scented hair..

In addition to the velvet-like travel bag, there is also a cute scrunchie in the box. The black hair tie has pink polka dots and two structured bunny ears. Super cute! My Toy Poodle, Teddy, loves hair ties - this one will keep him busy for hours!

I was shopping for facial rollers (rose quartz, jade..) and came across this Kaja Roller Glow Roll-on Highlighting Balm. The fun, unique design includes a rectangular pot of pearlescent pink highlighter and two mini, hygienic paint rollers. It's super cute and an effective way to apply highlighter to your body. 

The case is plastic and a pretty magenta shade. Enclosed is a mirror and and one roller applicator that snaps on to a plastic door that separates the sponge from the highlighting balm. There is also an extra mini paint roller in the box. 

The kit is little pricy, but there is a lot going on inside the box and the design is super-fun! This product is the perfect gift for a little girl experimenting with makeup - Or anyone addicted to cosmetics, pink and has a light sense of humor. 

The cream-to-powder highlighter consists of ultra-reflective pigments of pearlescent pink with a golden undertone. The roll-on result is subtle and perfect against pale or slightly sun-kissed skin. This little paint roller is great for applying an even layer of highlighter to your arms and décolletage.

The sample photo on sephora.com are misleading - the product is super-subtle and you'd have to apply a ridiculous amount to get the result in the photo. 

The brush is small enough to roll along your cheekbones, but I prefer a tool that allows for more concise application. If you like the sparkle in this highlighter, I suggest using your finger to apply the duo-chrome product.

The Cosmic Laundry color is super-reflective - There is a lot of sparkle in this cream-to-powder balm. The product blends nicely. The Kaja Roller Glow isn't gonna replace my go-to highlighters, but the concept is cute and I had fun sharing my product review with you..

I LOVE bag accessories - this Prada heart plushie bag accessory (available at Farfetch) is the perfect Valentine's Day bag charm AND a lovely gift. This is the perfect Valentine's Day handbag charm to elevate your look and show everyone that you "care"! 

I'm not the kinda girl that wants a fancy dinner, at the "best" restaurant in town on Valentine's Day. I wanna relax at home, have a home cooked meal and drink wine.. BUT, I'm still gonna dress for the occasion and get in to the Valentine's Vibe. These t-shirts are perfect for an at-home Valentine's dinner or humble get-together. You can pair them with sweatpants at home, a feminine skirt for dinner at a chic restaurant or denim and an oversized cardigan for a casual dinner. 

This one is my favorite. The Love Moschino t-shirt dress dons a woman wearing pink alligator and blowing kisses. It's odd and I LOVE it! The striped, cotton t-shirt gives this dress a sporty vibe and is perfect for a casual Valentine's Day soiree. 

This Dolce & Gabbana Love Is What You Want t-shirt (available at Farfetch) is perfect for February 14th (the most sought after, I wanna be in love day of the year). The text is fitting and the pop of color aligns with the traditional Valentines's Day theme. 

I WANT THIS ONE (hint hint)! This MIU MIU heart embellished ring (available at MIU MIU) is gorgeous and a Valentine's Day gem. The silver ring is embellished with crystals and a dangling pearl. LOVE! 

Chiara Ferragni glitter heart sneakers are stylish and fun. The silver and red heart glitter embellishments are perfect for Valentine's Day. Pair these sneakers with chic joggers or a t-shirt dress for an "I'm a fun, easy going kinda girl" Valentine's Day look. 

HUM is an all-natural line of supplements that include tablets, soft gels, gummies and powders. These 'beauty' vitamins have been thoughtfully developed to address lifestyle and beauty concerns. The founders of HUM believe diet alone will not address all of your beauty concerns and regular intake of targeted supplements will give you a little extra boost.

There are currently twenty-five HUM supplements sold at Sephora, ranging from cleansing vitamins, dietary supplements, skin, nails and hair vitamins, collagen boosters and sleep supplements. I initially purchased many products from the HUM lineup, but the dietary and cleanse vitamins didn't agree with my stomach. I also struggle with taking vitamins and pills, (especially the large ones), so taking four huge vitamins a day wasn't for me. I did however like the gummies, Collagen POP dissolvable tablets and Beauty zzZz supplements.

The Collagen POP tablets consist of premium marine collagen peptides and vitamin C. Combined these supplements boost skin hydration, elasticity and firmness. HUM's type one collagen (premium marine collagen), is the same found in the body AND Vitamin C increases natural collagen in the body. Of course, as we age, the collagen in our body decreases, so it's important to take supplements that encourage collagen production.

I've only gone through one container of HUM Collagen POP fizzing tablets and it's too early to say whether or not these tablets make a difference. I do however prefer dissolvable tablets over hard pills and super-sized vitamins. The taste is kinda strange and floral-like. I'm not into drinking or eating flowers, so that's a deterrent. Maybe HUM will produced a fruity flavored tablet - hint hint HUM! I will however continue to drop these dissolvable tablets in my water every other day. If anything, HUM Collagen POP tablets intrigued me and now I'm set on finding a collagen supplement suitable for me.

HUM Beauty zzZz vegetarian tablets will absolutely promote a good night sleep. I started taking these sleep enhancing tablets last year - I had so much on my mind, was stressing about life and only sleeping a few hours a night. I was exhausted all of the time and felt like a zombie during the day. These sleep supplements definitely improved my sleep habits. Thankfully, I sleep much better now, BUT once and a while I take these melatonin and B6 supplements when I'm restless.

If you're anxious and need to catch up on your zzz's, try taking a Benadryl. This allergy medication puts me right to sleep and keeps me under for hours. I'm not a doctor and am not recommending regular use, but I don't see anything wrong with taking allergy medication - you would after all take one Zyrtec a day during allergy season!

I read an article about these magnetic faux-lashes in July 2016 and HAD TO HAVE THEM! I'm sure I was one of the first people to order One Two Lashes for myself and my friends. I was on the waiting list for many months. BUT after a brief encounter, I tucked them away in my twelve story Cosmocube and forgot about them.

A year + later, I decided to give this innovative product another go.. I am a huge fan of faux-lashes. AND I had sky-high hopes for these magnetic false lashes by One Two Cosmetics.

I want to like these false lashes, but they don't sit on my natural lashes well. The idea is genius, but the design needs a little tweaking. The magnets attach well and hold, but the shape of the lash band is unnatural. The band is practically straight and doesn't shape your natural eyelid. If you're like me and wear very little eye makeup, these misshaped lashes are super obvious and kinda look cheap. THEY ARE NOT CHEAP. When I originally purchased One Two Lashes they retailed for $59 and today for $69. These lashes are not worth the high cost.

The application is easy (once you get the hang of it). It took me a good hour to play with them and master the positioning. You use your thumb and index finger to hold the lashes (one in each hand) and 'simply' place one under your natural lashes and one above. The tiny, rectangular shaped magnets will catch immediately. There's no glue, so you can move them around slightly and quickly remove them to reset the position. The removal is easy - just slide the magnets apart.

These One Two Lashes are half strips and meant to be used on the outer lash line. I'm a fan of enhancing your outer lashes - half strips lift and enhance your eyes. Half strips may however be a deterrent for anyone seeking a super-dramatic look. I think if you wear a ton of eye makeup (to mask the straight-band design) and possibly apply two sets of these faux-lashes, it might look ok. MAYBE! Before you purchase these lashes, watch youtube videos. There's great reviews featuring One Two Lash application and the results.

Magnetic lashes is a great idea, and with proper execution, can change the faux-lash industry dramatically. The only downside to faux-lashes is the glue and lasting damage from glue toxins and aggressive removal. Magnetic lashes eliminate the glue and are gentle on your natural lashes. Someone please revisit this design and make it work! Maybe a strip of micro-magnets along the band and a proper band shape would be more successful (hint hint).

While doing a little research for this blog post, I noticed that One Two Cosmetics released full coverage lashes. I've ordered two styles and will post a detailed review in the next few weeks. My fingers are crossed!

It's hot and humid in Santorini.. Fussing with perfect hair and makeup is wasted vacation time, so I'm keeping it simple. Bronzer and coral blush are enough to brighten my complexion and give a natural glow (of course I'm avoiding to tan my face). Bronzer allows for consistent color all over without undoing all the facial laser treatments and anti-aging you've worked towards over the years - your face is sensitive and you will regret the sun damage one day. I straightened my hair once and it lasted a few hours - not worth the effort. My hairstyle of choice - a low-bun with pieces falling out. A windblown 'effortless' style.

Accessories are important on vacation and white pieces standout against your sun-kissed skin. Layer bracelets and pile on small rings - opt for tiny rose gold or silver rings on each finger (rose gold looks great on tanned skin). Vacation destinations are great places to shop for accessories - so hit the stores early in your vacation and stock up on local (handmade) accessories.

Accessories pictured here: Dior Chicago Aviators, Bottega Veneta Knot Bracelet, Isabel Marant Bracelet, Gabriela Artigas Rose Simple Rings, Blanca Monros Black Diamond Ring, Ariel Gordon Love Knot Ring, Kate Spade Bow Bracelet.