How I Do My Makeup For Work

 I like to do my makeup very natural for work. I usually focus on my eyes. Since my shifts are usually between 10-12 hours I need my makeup to stay alllllll day! I'm honestly too busy to touch up anything throughout the day other than lip gloss. 

Tutorial On This Look

What I used- 

Revlon color stay in the whipped formula

MAYBELLINE Dream lumi concealer in radiance 

Urban decay naked skin concealer light warm

Rimmel stay matte powder in translucent

Naked basics pallet 

MAC texture single shadow

Rimmel glam eyes liner 

Cover girl mascara in bloom 

Too faced chocolate bronzer

Mary loumanizer (the balm)

MAC Dame blush 

Jordana fabulash in taupe 

Bare minerals gloss in party starter

I hope you enjoy getting ready with me!

Buttermilk Pancakes

 

  There is a tiny diner in North Carolina that has completely stolen my heart. The restaurant is so small and hidden that word of mouth is genuinely their best advertising. 

   The first time I tried their pancakes I literally teared up. I have never had a pancake so light and airy. My first bite completely melted in my mouth. Since then I have searched for a similar recipe. Finally I think I have found one!

This recipe is adapted from ohsweetbasil.com

2 cups of buttermilk

2 cups of AP flour

3 tbsp of sugar

1 tsp fine salt

1 tsp baking soda

2 tsp baking powder

1 tsp vanilla extract 

1/2 tsp butter flavoring 

1 tbsp melted butter

2 eggs

Whisk together buttermilk, flavorings, and eggs. Add in all dry ingredients. Do not over mix. Add in cooled butter. Cook on medium heat until golden brown. 

Add your favorite toppings and enjoy!

Chocolate Marscapone Frosting

My favorite part of tiramisu is the creaming Marscapone custard. I wanted to make a light chocolatey frosting for a chocolate cake. I considered cream cheese, but that felt too heavy. I didn't want a traditional buttercream because that seemed too sugary. Marscapone just seemed like the right fit. Rich and buttery, but not too sweet. It pairs perfectly with chocolate cake. 

What you need: 

4 ounces of marscapone (I found mine at publix in the specialty cheese section)

1/4 cup dark cocoa powder unsweet 

1 cup powdered sugar 

2 tbsp 2% milk (or cream or whole milk) 

1/2 stick of room temperature butter 

I highly recommend using a hand mixture. A whisk could also work. You really want as much air as possible to get a whipped texture. 

Whip together butter and marscapone. Add in cocoa powder and sugar. The mixture should be dark and very thick. Add in milk one tbsp at a time. Depending on your preference you can add more. The frosting should resemble a whipped cream in the end. Do not over mix. 

Enjoy! 

Monthly Favorites - July 2015

Today I want to share all the things I have been loving the past month! 

My every day fragrance has been heavenly summer. I usually go crazy over any summer scent Victoria's Secret releases. They are usually warm and coconut-y. This one is light and fresh. I definitely get a hint of grapefruit. 

https://www.victoriassecret.com/beauty/dream-angels/victoriarsquos-secret-heavenly-summer-fragrance-mist?ProductID=244683&CatalogueType=OLS

Moisturizer has always been a love hate relationship. I have combination skin and I feel my face get really tight after washing, but my tzone gets oily throughout the day. This month I used the oil free Mario Badescu moisturizer and love it! It just melts into your skin so quickly leaving a great canvas for makeup. 

http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod6200801

Most used foundation was obviously rimmel London 25 hour foundation with comfort serum. I could not stop using it! This foundation is just so comfortable and light weight. 

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Rimmel-Lasting-Finish-Foundation-200-Soft-Beige-1-fl-oz/43250044

When I am bronzing my face and need something quick and natural I have been reaching for my MAYBELLINE bronzing BB cream. This cream really just looks like my skin, but better. So far I have only found it at Walmart. 

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Maybelline-Dream-Bronze-BB-Cream/44888895

If I want to bronze up my face a little less naturally and a lot more glowy then I use my Betty loumanzier. Super glowy and pretty without tons of glitter. It is a tad on the warm side so keep that in mind. 

http://m.kohls.com/kohlsopenapi/productmobile.html?productID=1527167/thebalm-betty-lou-manizer-bronzer-eyeshadow-compact.jsp

I have been trying loads of drugstore mascaras trying to find a cheaper alternative to my benefit they're real. This isn't exactly a dupe, but Rimmel glameyes mascara has an amazing formula for a great price. 

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Rimmel-Glam-Eyes-Mascara-Extreme-Black/12531942

Hampton farms nut varieties have definitely been there to help curb my sweet tooth when I'm working. My current favorite are the chipotle honey cashews. Check the link below for places you can buy them. I get mine from publix in the produce section. 

http://www.hamptonfarms.com/where-to-buy

Tuna has been my go to lunch. I usually have two packs with siracha and a side of hummus. Bumble tuna in water packets are really easy for work lunches. They always seem to be on sale as well. 16 grams of protein, zero carb and zero sugar. Can't beat that!

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Bumble-Bee-Premium-Light-Tuna-In-Water-2.5-oz/15136807

I hope you enjoyed my favorites! Let me know what you have been loving lately! 

Day time smokey eye using only drugstore

Lately I have been forgetting about the huge variety of drugstore makeup. Some of these products are just as good if not better than high end makeup. The only thing I forgot was my highlight! I love cream drugstore highlighters, but I could not find a powder highlight that I love. 

Please watch my tutorial below to see how I got this affordable day time look!

http://youtu.be/U5NHai5lp-4

Products used-

MAYBELLINE matte pore less foundation

http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod11861007

MAYBELLINE dream lumi 

http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod4070009

MAYBELLINE baby skin 

http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod6370971

Rimmel glam eyes liquid liner 

http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod6380075

Rimmel glam eyes mascara 

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Rimmel-Glam-Eyes-Mascara-Extreme-Black/12531942

Ulta eyeshadow 

http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod3570089

Ulta lipgloss 

http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod12831187

ELF - blush 

http://mobile.eyeslipsface.com/face/blush/Studio_Blush

ELF- baked shadow 

http://mobile.eyeslipsface.com/eyes/eyeshadow/Baked_Eyeshadow

Milani baked bronzer

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Milani-Baked-Bronzer/17655656

NYC bronzer 

I can find the exact one, but this is very similar 

http://www.walmart.com/ip/NYC-New-York-Color-Big-Bold-Bronzing-Powder-0.59-oz/43167998

NYX shadow lol

http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod4141605#

Let me know what you think!

Lifestyle Change In Progress

I wanted to update you guys on how my diet has been going. I started counting my calories and aiming for high protein content. After talking to a trainer about my specific body type we decided I need at least 115 grams of protein a day. Now that is really hard for me. I need to search for a protein powder I like that is low on sugar. Until that happens I've been reaching for grilled chicken, tuna, nuts and eggs. 

I highly recommend using the my fitness pal app. They just added the macro calculator that is a huge help. 

Just for an example these are my macros for today: 

I had 2 eggs on a whole wheat English muffin for breakfast and lunch I had 1 1/2 grilled chicken breast topped with 2 tablespoons of hummus. Right now I am training myself to reach for high proteins. Eventually I will start adding in a lot more snacks and veggies. I will keep you posted on my results!

Lighten Up With Antipasti

Today I wanted something easy, light, and filling. One of our go to meals is a fresh antipasti. Have you ever watched one of those cheesy romcoms where the couple is all googley eyed in the grocery store? Well that is me and P. Except we get googley eyed over olives and cheese. My favorite place to pick up ingredients is whole foods. Their olive bar is enough to make me giddy! Most grocery stores sell marinated olives, peppers, and cheeses in the deli section. Today I out used a few ingredients, but they all had a very strong flavor.

What you need:

Marinated olives and/or peppers 

Mixture of cheeses (I used Romano and mozerella) 

Romain lettuce chopped

Asparagus quickly sautéed in olive oil

Dried salami 

Layer everything the way you like on a plate and season with salt and pepper. 

For the dressing:

1/2 cup balsamic vinegar 

1/4 cup olive oil

2 tbsp honey

2 tbsp Dijon mustard 

Salt, pepper, Italian seasoning and crushed red pepper to taste

Whisk everything together and drizzle over your salad. Serve with your favorite bread!