Work Appropriate Glow

 It has been insanely hot here in Georgia this month. Plus with all the rain we have had it has been extra humid. Today I decided to work with the weather and created a - I just got back from vacation - look that will actually work with the heat. 

I started with the buxom illuminator that has a cooling tingle built in so when you sweat the product starts cooling you down. I applied this with my hands over my moisturizer. 

Then I went in with a foundation. Today I used the maybelline fit me because it is very light. 

Next I take the bronze bb cream with my stippling brush and blend into the points of my face that I would normally contour. (Cheek bones, forehead, sides of my nose)

You can use a highlighter or shimmery eye shadow to touch the tops of the cheeks and inner corner of your eyes an extra glow. 

I use the baked bronzer with a huge powder brush and just warm up my cheeks and neck. I took a blending brush and added just a little to my crease as well. 

I set everything with translucent powder and added the buxom gloss in White Russian. Again the gloss has that cooling sensation that really helps beat the heat. 

For my hair I used the bed head waver and the not your mothers sea salt spray. 

Cutting calories

 I decided in order to jump start my weight loss and get back on track that I would need to cut calories. This may not be the best for everyone, but I love food. I love cooking and baking, eating out, trying new things ... I love food. The only way I will be able to kick start this program is if I use portion control and calorie counting. I am starting off with 1200 calories based on my current height/ weight and where I want my weight to be. I downloaded my fitness pal to help me track the calories. I have a feeling the measure cup will be my best friend this month. 

 Today I started out with a piece of cinnamon toast and an egg. Equaling 150 calories. This is actually very light for breakfast. I might add in a banana. Before work I am going to do 15 minutes of squats and abs. 

 Happy Monday motivation! I hope everyone had a great 4th of July weekend!

Upping My Game

The beginning of this year started with me focused. I was ready to shed some weight and be physically fit for my 29th birthday. Well, I lost the weight and made huge progress with my yoga poses. Then came birthday cake. Chocolate, orange zest, vanilla, caramel... Who knew how many people would bring me cake!?! Obviously I had to taste test them all... So one month later I'm up 8 lbs. I am not committing to a diet. I am committing to a lifestyle. First goal is to drink more water. I currently have diet coke running through my blood. Water is my nemesis. So good and refreshing, but it sadly is not diet coke. My goal is to drink a gallon of water a day. I will be posting with my god and updates on my progress. Wish me luck !

Chocolate Cake For Two With A Hint Of Baileys

Chocolate Cake For Two With A Hint Of Baileys

What is better then chocolate cake? How about a chocolate cake with 2 servings and a hint of baileys? I went on a quest to find a bottle of Baileys on Saint Patrick's Day... I don't know why I thought that was a good idea. I managed to find a beverage store that had just received a shipment of Baileys. I had no idea that coffee liquor came in different flavors! I could not pass up the salted caramel. This cake is super moist and filled with gooey chocolate. My favorite part of this cake is you can make the entire recipe within 30 minutes! 

What you need:

1 egg 

1/2 cup of sugar

1/2 cup of cocoa powder 

1/2 cup of AP flour

2 tbsp canola oil

1 tsp vanilla

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 buttermilk 

1/8 cup baileys or other coffee liquor

Directions: 

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.

Whisk together the buttermilk, egg, oil, vanilla and baileys. Add in the dry ingredients. Mix until smooth. If the batter looks too thick just add a tsp of water. 

I used a cooking spray and prepped a 6" Wilton pan.  Cook for 15 - 20 minutes. I like to slightly under bake my cakes. I test after 15 minutes and slightly tap the top. If it slowly bounces back it is ready. 

Flip onto a plate and stick in the freezer for 5 minutes.

What you need for the frosting:

1/2 stick of softened butter

1 cup powdered sugar

1/3 cup of cocoa powder

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

2 tbsp of baileys 

Directions:

You can use a hand mixer, but it is such a small amount I usually just whip all the ingredients together with a fork. Mix until everything is creamy and there are not any sugar lumps.

Pull the cake from the freezer and frost. Top with sprinkles of your choice. Everything tastes better with sprinkles :)

Holiday Updates

This holiday season seemed to appear so much faster this year! A few months back I posted about how I was nervous to celebrate my favorite time of year as a single woman. So far I think I have been able to handle myself just fine :). We just found out we have to work Thanksgiving day so I am actually relieved I did not make big plans. 

I have been overwhelmed with the amount of love I have received from all my friends. It is hard to feel alone with this amazing support system. This post will eventually be about surviving retail during the holidays so feel free to skip this sappy portion. Shits about to get real. 

The greatest gift I have received this season is hope that there is someone out there for everyone. Sometimes you go through painful trying experiences so you will be open to the people God brings into your life. He is rarely early, never late, but always right on time. 

Maybe my life plan strayed. I wasn't married by 23 and didn't have my first child by 25. Would I have an amazing career and find my calling as a foodie if I did follow that plan? Probably not. Would I have met the man that makes me believe fairy tales are fact? Definitely not. Keep an open heart. You never know who will find you. 

Onto the post!

Surviving retail 101

1. Have a plan. Who are you buying for? Write it down with a budget of what you can spend on each person. Once to hit that number stop! You wouldn't believe how many times I find things in packaging that were forgotten gifts. No reason to over spend. 

2. Black Friday is a scam. Every business including my own will freak, but it is true. You are going to get the same deals the week before and the week after. Maybe you can score one good thing, but did you really need that $75 RCA tv when there is a $200 LG as every day price?? Nah

3. Save your coupons. Every year I make an email and sign up for every store newsletter. The best coupons you will get this week will be kohls, express, bath and body works, loft, limited, macys, gap and  jcpenney. Sign up now!

4. Shop online. Cyber Monday is December 1st. Only hold out for that if you are buying electronics. Otherwise just buy everything in Black Friday. I have been in retail management for almost 10 years and every Black Friday I have bought 75% of my gifts online during my lunch break. Almost everywhere will be free shipping. Ship to my home for free and I don't have to wait in line? Yes please. 

5. Stock up on your favorite drinks! Publix has keurig Starbucks Christmas blend for $6.99! That's a steal for sure! 

Happy shopping!

Single Girl Dinner

I have always been under the impression that single girls are lonely and depressed living in the bottom of cartons of ice cream. Clearly the is not the case! This has been my first opportunity to experiment and try things that I probably would not serve my guests unless they were intoxicated. I snapped chatted my meal last night to a few friends and I could not believe the feedback I received! Unfortunately the only picture I have is a screen shot of the snap since I really did not think it looked very appealing. 

Last night when I got off work I was tired and grumpy from such a long shift. All I wanted was some comfort food and a beer. In moderation of course. Still need to maintain this yoga body ;) this is what I came up with after a dragged myself to the kitchen in search of a fast comforting meal. 

To start. Crack open your favorite drink. Something ice cold. My current favorite is this eye patch ale. So cold and bitter yet refreshing. 

I used fresh grated cheddars. White, extra sharp and mild. 

Off the vine tomato sliced. 

1/2 fried chicken breast 

1 egg 

Louisiana hot sauce

100 calorie wheat English muffin 

1/2 tbsp butter 

Salt and pepper 

In a skillet heat up the butter. Once the skillet is covered put your English muffin insides down and add in the egg to fry. Salt and pepper as desired. 

I microwaved the chicken for 30 seconds. I made from scratch the day before. I will include those directions below. 

Flip your English muffin over add the cooked egg carefully and cover with cheese. Top with chicken, hot sauce  and tomatoes. Enjoy!!!!!!

For the chicken. I have a deep fryer. If you don't just heat oil in a skillet on medium high. You need the oil to be around 350 degrees for a nice crispy batter.  For the dry ingredients. I fill a freezer ziplock with flour, 1 tsp baking powder, salt, cayenne pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, 2 full tbsp paprika. For the wet. 2 cups of buttermilk and hot sauce to preference. Dip boneless skinless chicken breast into the wet then the dry before repeating. This double battering with ensure a great texture. Fry about 7 minutes on each side until brown and crispy. Salt again while hot if desired. 

Channeling Lauren Conrad

True to herself Lauren Conrad sported her signature winged liner on her wedding day. 

There is something so elegant about simple makeup and a matte black wing. Lauren's wing always has the perfect cat eye flick at the end. Very different then the traditional wing which goes straight out. 

So today I used my revlon nearly naked foundation with my too faced bronzer on my cheeks and lid. Then topped it off with a classic wing and my benefit mascara. 

Happy winging :)