The Holy Grail: LORAC PRO Palette

I first learned of the LORAC PRO Palette from Jen (frmheadtotoe). The number and variety of mattes was impressive, and coupled with the famed quality of LORAC shadows, blew all thoughts of getting the Naked palette from my mind. And let me tell you: all the raves are justified. This is by far my favorite indulgence from this trip.

Cold Weather Skin Saver: Laneige Water Sleeping Pack_EX

The Laneige Water Sleeping Pack_EX is somewhat of a cult favorite in Asia. It's an overnight mask that delivers intense hydration for brighter, rejuvenated skin the next morning. Knowing I would be exposed to colder, drier temperatures, this had to go in my luggage.

Truly Travel-Friendly: NARS The Happening Eye and Cheek Palette

NARS The Happening is a limited edition spring palette that caught my eye because it has both eye and cheek products in a slim compact with a large mirror. It was one of the few products I was determined to get, but it was unavailable in every Nordstrom I visited. Luckily it was in stock on Amazon, from the merchant bluemercury. Blue Mercury shops are everywhere, and customer feedback was A-ok, so I placed the order. It sold at retail price, US $65, which was great because other merchants are now selling it upwards of $80-100.

Scenes from a Train: The American Landscape Part 3 (salads, Steinbeck, and gang violence)

The final part of this photo journey...from Pismo Beach the Coast Starlight passed by San Luis Obipso and finally took me into the farmlands of Salinas, my stop. Salinas is known as the "Country's Salad Bowl" because of the many varieties of vegetables grown here. In fact, about 80% of America's fruits and vegetables are grown in California.

On the Union Pacific Railroad, the largest railroad network in the United States.

Scenes from a Train: The American Landscape Part 2 (Green Shores)

The scenic train ride continues... These pictures are totally raw and unedited. The Coast Starlight runs along the Pacific Ocean for about 178 miles, all the way to San Luis Obispo and Paso Robles, giving a beautiful view of the beach. We were told to look out for baleen whales, which have two blowholes, so when they blow the water spouts out heart-shaped. We didn't see any, but I did see a lot of birds and fish.

The reason they call it the Coast Starlight.