Smell Like A Sexy Oatmeal Cookie

I cannot tell you how long it's been since I bought a new shower gel. 

Years...actually years. For real.

I worked for a pretty popular skincare and beauty company for a long time a few years ago and at the time one of the perks was lots of free product and a great discount so I did have quite a large stockpile of favorites to work through. (Many of which are now discontinued :( )

Finally after finishing my last, probably expired, bottle of sweet smelling gel I looked to a newly re-branded Soap and Glory for shower time inspiration.

An Apple A Day

 Nothing makes an Autumnal weekend better than apple picking except maybe apple picking, perfect weather and great company. 

This past Sunday myself and three lovely NYC ladies ventured up to my childhood apple picking farm, Dressel Farms in New Paltz NY for a smog free day full of cider and donuts. 

The apples were fresh and the views did not disappoint. 

London #zitosonparade

 As yesterday was the first day of Fall I thought it was only appropriate that we close it our with the last of the pictures from my summer vacation.

London is easily my favorite place in the world. My pictures here were sporadic because I was so happy to just be there with my family walking all over and soaking it up. 

It reminds me of a lot of the reasons why I love New York. It's artistic, eclectic busy, metropolitan and simply my favorite place.

We stayed in East London's Bethnal Green in an AirBnB that was good, somewhat less successful than Glasgow but I was so excited about the neighborhood and the people nearby. If you find yourself in the area there is a bar restaurant called The Hemingway that is hilarious and delicious and manned by some of the most polite and funny people we met throughout the vacation.

Glasgow Pt 2 #zitosonparade

 To kick off the final Scottish installment of the Zito's on Parade series I wanted to show off a little of the AirBnB we had while we were there. 

It was a lovely second floor apartment in the West End neighborhood of the city that was owned and operated for the express use of renting out to visitors. The hosts were friendly and helpful and the location beyond ideal. It was at the start of the Great Western Road just before the Kelvinsbridge Subway station a short walk from both the Botanical Gardens and Byres road.

As a family we loved the place and it served as a great home base for our three day Scottish stay. 

Edinburgh #zitosonparade

Oh Edinburgh.

Featured on every one of my fellow collegiate travelers to see lists it very quickly become on of my favorite places to visit. So much so that when I graduated I took my roommate back for a visit and she fell in love too. Up until recently I had never left Edinburgh not hungover. Classy.

Now that I'm no longer a college student the city holds less of a long term appeal but it is no less beautiful for that fact. 

With mounds of tourists over flowing at every turn it can be tricky to capture how stunning it is.

Let's try shall we?

The Mid-Week Pamper

 There are a million different people out there talking about how they love a good Sunday pamper session. 

Who doesn't?

A whole evening spent relaxing before the work week starts and treating your skin to some TLC is always great but, every once and a while I like to throw in a slightly modified mid week pick me up.

If it has been an especially difficult week a couple of masks and a little facial massage can go a long way to get you over the hump.

Dublin, Ireland #zitosonparade

 Next stop on the list was Dublin. 

Now to be totally fair the Zitos spent a grand total of 6 hours in Dublin.

So not nearly as long as some of the other places we saw and certainly not long enough to get a real feel for the city. 

So while I can't really recommend anything specific maybe some of my snapshots will inspire some visits of your own.

Oh! We did have lunch and a few quick pints at O'Donohgues on Suffolk St which was quick, easy and, delicious. It came at the recommendation of a friend from Dublin and it was a solid choice. Looked like an excellent music spot too. 

Dingle Co. Kerry Ireland #zitosonparade

Holy view Batman!

Today marks the chance for me to share easily one of if not my favorite location from the entirety of the epic Irish tour.

I actually find myself at a bit of a loss for words with this one. 

The town of Dingle is set into a gently rising hill along the coast of Dingle Bay and is speckled with a rainbow colored array of buildings that house a selection of shops and pubs that far exceed the tourist spots along the main drag.

There are some great places to stop in before touring the peninsula to get a bite, some snacks for the road or some memorabilia on your way.

Holding Out for $2 Perfection

I have spent nearly a year and a half with various postcards, posters and prints haphazardly taped to walls in a holding pattern just waiting for the perfect frames. 

Yes...yes I am a little bit picky I will admit but, the last place I anticipated finding the perfect addition to the collection was the new to New York Flying Tiger flagship.

The best part?

They were 2$.

Every Friday all Summer Long

We intterupt your regularly scheduled vaation blabber in favor of a flavor a little closer to home. 

As a New Yorker Summer feels like a constant balancing act between too many things to do and too hot to do anything. Sometimes the best thing to do is drag yourself away from Manhattan (an impossibility for some people believe me.) and get yourself out by the water for some much needed breeze. 

So last Friday after work my roommate and I headed out to Coney Island for their weekly fireworks with the aid of a very thoughtful friend with a car (Thanks Carrie!)

Kilarney and Co.Kerry #zitosonparade

This week'a installment of #zitosonparade comes to you from the rocky shores of West Co. Kerry Ireland. 

A short trip from last week's Co. Tipperary visit lies on of Ireland's most visited attractions, and for good reason. 

The Homewear Wishlist:1

I have done a seemingly endless amount of wishlist posts on the blog before and almost all of them centered around clothes or beauty so this time I thought I'd switch things up and talk a little home inspiration with you guys. 

After my 3 week vacation and some rather thought provoking AirBnB stays I've been newly inspired to up the anti in my own space once again. 

Ever since I moved into my current apartment I have been slowly getting rid of all of the "temporary" and left over collegiate furnishings in favor of some slightly more sturdy adult options. 

In addition I've been going a step above just blue tacking a few posters to my walls and hoping for the best. 

...So with some careful Amazon-ing and some skillful souvenir shopping I've gotten some new ideas for my spaces. 

Cashel: Country Tipperary,Ireland #zitosonparade (I'm Back!)

View from the Rock of Cashel

I'm back from my three week family vacation and can't wait to share some of the snaps I took with you guys! I really wanted to have things ready to go up while I was gone but ultimately between work and friends and packing I simply ran out of time. 

I'm going to make it up to you though. 

I have the rest of the Summer and 1,300 photos to share from our epic family adventure...not to mention several haul videos worth of products, prints, clothes, books and, albums.

Storm King Art Center Saturday

So last weekend on something of a whim some of my coworkers and I headed out of Queens and up to New Windsor NY to check out the Storm King Arts Center. 

Despite having lived within a half hour of the place for more or less my whole life I'd never been so I figured it was finally time for a little art hike.

If you are in the Hudson Valley or are looking for a cool day trip from NYC this would easily be my first recommended stop. 

It doesn't hurt that the drive up is a beaut too.

Quick and Easy Weekend Makeup

Quick and easy weekend makeup can mean a lot of things to a lot of people. In some cases for me it means no makeup but on some occasions I like to spiff up for a day at the park.

A couple of weeks ago I hit up Astoria Park in Queens with some friends and nabbed seven quick items to play with.

Manicures in the Park

 Now that the weather is starting to improve I've been looking for ways to bring the blogging out doors. ...So yesterday when a friend invited me for a little sun and girl talk in the park I thought it was a perfect opportunity to grab the camera and some nail polish and make an afternoon of it.

So this week instead of just making "things" I'm making time for things like this. 

My current polish choice is this OPI Multichrome. 

...and the Pink Gel Coat that a friend brought along might actually be giving my Holy Grail OPI Nail Envy a run for it's money!

The Hydration Step

Guys Spring has Spring and I can take pictures outside again!!!

So the one "Hirons Approved" skincare routine step that I've always sort of...skipped (shhhh don't tell) was the hydrating toner. Generally applied post exfoliating/acid toner I had spent what felt like AGES (but what in reality was like...8 months.) looking for one that I thought really did anything.

Low and behold a little over a month ago whilst perusing the Sephora website I found something I thought might work. 

Since then I've revisited a handful of other spritzes and toners so I figured I share my thoughts and conclusions.

The Repurchase|Kiehls Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado

 Technically this is cheating.

The last container of the Kiehls Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado was a sample that was so full I had it for almost six months. It last for such a long time that I'm concerned about finishing the smaller size before it expires.

This little pot has quickly become the only nighttime eye cream I will even consider.

If you are looking for a basic, no frills and extremely hydrating eye cream than look no further.

The 5 Product Face-Weekend Edition

I'm a big fan of a five product face. 

When I'm in a rush when I'm going for a casual coffee or ladies night in I sometime still like to add a few things to the complextion to help create the illusion of someone well rested and groomed. 

Now I say sometimes.

I don't really mind leaving the house without makeup and do so more now than I ever used to but sometimes its nice to throw a little something on before heading out the door.

Lately when I do want a little something these are the 5 things I've been reaching for.

Ed note|Bedside Beauty

My bedside table is usually a pretty crowded space. (ie: typically looks nothing like this photo.) I haven't successfully streamlined this spot yet but that's because it tends to house all of the things I reach for first thing when I wake up and right before I go to bed at night.

AM and PM necessities that range from beauty to tech from books to hydration and the odd tool or accessory. It's my bedroom catchall spot.

I thought it would be fun to take a look at all of the beauty bits that I keep within an arms reach.