Flawless Lasting Foundation

I spend countless time searching online for products that will help your makeup last. I work long days without time for touchups so I can't worry about what my makeup is doing. 

I have found a few products that help me ensure I have a "flawless" face. 

Step 1- moisturize ! This is the most important step. I have been using origins morning moisturizer. 

Step 2- primer that works for your skin. Primers are made for large pores, oily skin, dry skin, fine lines ect. I chose one for lasting power. Benefit 15 hour flawless face primer 

Step 3- foundation. If you find your perfect primer you can use any foundation really. Revlon photo finish has a really sheer yet buildable coverage. 

Step 4- setting powder. My current favorite is Victoria's Secret mineral finish powder. It has a very subtle sheen that blurs lines and large pores. 

Step 5- if you still need staying power try a setting spray. I like something mattifying so I use urban decay de slick spray 

Let me know if you try any of my tips! Or if you have some to share!

Valentines Cookie Cake

This is easily my FAVORITE cookie cake recipe. The texture of the cookie is light while still having the density of a traditional chocolate chip cookie. 

We were snowed in for 3 whole days with this cookie... I really needed to leave before eating the entire thing. 

What you need 

2 cups of flour 

3/4 cup of unsalted butter

3/4 cup brown sugar 

1/4 cup granulated sugar

2 tsp cornstarch (most important ingredient)

Pinch of kosher salt

1 egg

1 tsp baking soda 

2 tbsp vanilla 

1 cup chocolate chunks

1 cup m&m s

A good tip here is to freeze the chocolate first. This helps it hold it's shape and keeps the cookie from discoloration. 

How to do it

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix butter, sugar, egg and vanilla until creamy. Add in dry ingredients. It with form a very thick ball of dough. Do not over mix. Add in chocolate and m&ms. 

Pour into a greased 9inch pan. Bake for 20-25 minutes. The top should be very lightly browned. Leave out to cool for at least an hour before taking out of the pan. I used a Betty Crocker icing bottle to make the heart on my cookie. 

Enjoy! 

Food prep for success

Last year I lost over 20 lbs and managed to keep it off. This year my goal is to get my body to its healthy weight and tone up. One of the biggest obstacles for me is my job. I leave the house by 7am and usually do not get home until 8pm. My lunches are squeezed in whenever I find a minute so they are never at the same time. After talking to a good friend and amazing motivator I decided to commit my Sunday free time to food prep. Instead of driving around trying to find healthy fast food options I'm stocking up in organic veggies and free range proteins to eat through the work week. 

This week I made roast chicken breast with lemon, garlic, pepper, cayenne and a little sea salt. My broccoli was roasted with lemon and pepper.

What do you eat to stay healthy?

Valentines day favorites

Valentines day is just over a week away. I'm not huge into celebrating valentines day since T and I have an anniversary shortly after. BUT I love having an excuse to wear pinks and reds. These are just a few off my affordable favorites! 

1. The limited skater dress $70

2. JCrew factory store sweater $30

3. New York and co hearts blouse $50

4. Forever 21 dress $12

5. Boohoo.com Candy dress $45

 

6. Target red shoes $30

7. Mac all fired up lipstick $15

8. JCrew factory store sweater $30

9. Aldo pumps $70

What are your favorites??

Savannah vacation and January lippy favorites

Hey guys! 

I do not know if you heard about the ga #snowpocalypse2014 but it all started with a light snow at around 12pm. By 3pm we had a thick 3 inch layer of snow on the roads that was quickly freezing over. By this time an estimated 3 million people were on the road at once trying to make it home. 

This is a picture comparison between that day and the walking dead promo. After spending 6 hours in the car before walking to safety and staying with coworkers until the roads cleared Tim and I decided to take a trip to savannah ga. It was pretty rainy but we found this amazing French cafe for brunch. 

Chocolate filled beignets 

Pan fried ham and Swiss sandwich topped with over easy egg

Everything was so amazing. Tim had a pork melt on fresh brioche. Even the coffee was delicious. 

On a side note this January I have been using lots of pink lippies! These are a few of my favorites. 

1. Milani plum rose 

2. Loreal fresh as a rose 

3. Rimmel blush pink

4. Vs luster gloss in deep red 

What are your favorites!?

Meatless Monday Week 2: Quinoa Mac and Cheese

Whole Foods is know for free sample Saturdays. New products are prepared and displayed. A few weeks ago I tried the gluten free corn free quinoa noodles. They tasted soooooo similar to a regular white enriched pasta. About 200 calories per serving and still a whopping 40 carbs, but zero sugar higher protein and way easier for your body. 

What you need: 

Quinoa noodles (there are two kinds the gluten free can be found at most grocery stores. The gluten and corn free I have only seen at health food stores) 

1 cup organic cream or half and half 

1 cup of buffalo cheddar 

1 cup extra sharp white cheddar

1/4 cup plain unsalted Panko crumbs 

2 tsp butter

1 tsp of flour 

How to do it: 

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Prepare noodles according to package set to side drained. Melt butter in sauce pan on lowest setting. Add flour and whisk consistently. When flour starts to turn to a light brown color add in half of the cream. Whisk very quickly and make sure the mixture is smooth. Add in cheese. Whisk while cheese melts and add the rest of the cream. Cheese should be thick and creamy. Add in noodles. Now is the time to salt and pepper to taste. Pour into a baking dish. Sprinkle Panko on top. You can add extra cheese if you would like. Bake for 15 minutes. 

This dish is very easy to change up. Use any cheeses you prefer! 

Blueberry Oatmeal Chip Muffins

Let me tell you about these muffins. Each bite is packed full of chocolatey blueberry crunch. These are not health food muffins  but they are definitely better than something you will get in a bakery. So fluffy with the perfect top crust. 

Blueberry Oatmeal Chip Muffins 

What you need: 

1 1/2 cups oats 

1 cup all purpose or wheat flour unbleached

1 tsp baking powder 

1/2 tsp baking soda 

1/2 tsp of kosher salt 

1/2 cup brown sugar 

1/4 cup granulated sugar 

2 eggs 

1/2 cup unsweetened apple sauce 

1 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk

1 tbsp canola oil 

1 tsp vanilla 

1 cup blueberries ( I buy fresh then freeze them. This keeps the color from bleeding and it's healthier than buying already frozen) 

1/2 cup dark chocolate 

Ok I know there are a ton of ingredients but I promise it is worth it. You can replace the almond milk with regular milk and skip oil by adding more apple sauce. You can even ditch the chocolate if you want. 

How to do it.

Preheat to 400 degrees. Mix all wet ingredients together then add in the dry. Mix very lightly. You almost just want to fold the mix. Add in blueberries and chocolate. These do not rise a ton so you can fill the muffin liners 3/4 of the way. I sprinkled more oats on top. The more you mix the batter the tougher your muffins will be. Bake for 20 minutes. 

Enjoy!