Saturday, December 14, 2013

20 Something's




The closer I get to being 30, the more I start thinking about my 20's. Are our 20 something's the magic numbers that define our lives where we're allowed to be irresponsible, travel, and live with our parents again? I have learned many valuable things throughout my 20's that I wish I could have bestowed on my younger self, so I felt like compiling a list for other 20's something to share in case they are guilty of these young idiosyncrasies too.

1. You will not always feel the need to be bleach blonde. You will actually like having hair a few shades darker, getting it done way less, and therefore not going broke once a month trying to hide your natural much darker roots from the world. Get some low lights and save both your wallet and your hair from too much blonde.

2. That thing you're trying to accomplish with bronzer & black eye shadow? It's called contouring. Put down the black and pick up a makeup manual. It will come in handy in more ways than you know.

3. Quit University after first year and travel with your big sister. The ability to do this and [her] will both be gone too soon and her dreams to see the world will inevitably become your own.

4. That awful drink you used to stay awake to study in college with 10 sugars and 5 creams? Its called coffee and will become one of your favorite habits that you will not only come to drink Black and enjoy, but will also try to quit drinking several times and return back to it simply because you love having a cup and hey, there are worst addictions right??

5. Maturity does not come with marriage or entering your 30's. You will still laugh, stumble, want to take naps, rely on others, and remain terrified of driving. At least for a few more years.

6. Don't do shots at bars. I repeat shots. One is your max. You are not a heavy weight champion. You do not hold hard liquor well.

7. Don't drink Pinot Grigio just because your friends do. That shudder you make after each sip means you don't like it. You're a C girl: Chardonnay & Cabernet. Remember that.

8. You will find your Prince Charming when the time is just right. Well, maybe too young, but he will become your husband, so go easy on each other. You will both live and learn.

9. You will stop hating the fact that your mom used to pester you to go to church with her. You will be grateful of the knowledge you learned there that will not only come in handy during your English degree, but also in life and someday you will again crave spirituality.

10. Be very grateful of your childhood. Very few had such awesome neighbours as you to swing on ropes in barns with, act your age, and remain such very special people to you as you get older. Oh and stay closer to them in high school. They are wiser than you.

11. Be nicer to people. All people. Kindness will become your mantra.

12. The hometown you hated? It is truly one of the most beautiful places on earth and you will spend a period of your life missing it so much it will bring you to tears.

13. Your little sister will become the most beautiful and kindest young lady. Spend more time with her. You will miss her everyday you're apart.

14. You were right, you do look better with a tan, but not from a tanning bed. You will get fine lines on your forehead from it and self tanner works just fine.

15. You will experience a lot of grief and loss and you will get through it.

16. As you gain confidence you will shed your tough shell you used to protect yourself for many years.

17. Stop obsessing over the stretch marks you got on your thighs during puberty. Someday you will accept and appreciate your body for what it is.

18. Make better desicions when it comes to getting tattoos. You will spend a lot of wasted time and money getting rid of them.

19. That dog you got in college? She will become the best decision you ever made and will cuddle with you and make you laugh when you need it most.

20. You will never be sure you're working the right job, living in the right place, or doing the right thing. Be grateful of each day and take it as it comes.

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Sunday, November 24, 2013

Hungarian Cauliflower Casserole

When I was living in Hungary last year I met an amazing friend who taught me all the hidden gems of our little town, like where to get my nails/hair done, where to tan, take dance classes, and she would have me over to her beautiful house to teach me Hungarian dishes. I honestly love this dish so much I could eat the whole thing to myself. There are a few steps, but I will try my best to break it down for you!

Ingredients:
1 pack of ground pork
1 pack of ground turkey
1 1/2 cups of uncooked rice
2 heads of cauliflower, or 1 really big one
1 large container of sour cream
2 TBSP of paprika
1/2 onion
Olive Oil
1 tomato or paprika pepper (optional)
Goulash paste & paprika paste (optional if you can find it get it its so good. Check it out herehere, or here)
salt & pepper to taste

Step 1:
Add 1/4 C Olive oil to saucepan and caramelize chopped onion. After about 6 minutes add ground turkey and pork mix together and cook thoroughly. When cooked add about 1/4 C of water, salt & pepper, paprika and a generous squirt of each paste if using. Paprika burns easily, so adding the water is an important part of this step. Mix together and continue cooking uncovered. Add a tomato cut in half, or a paprika pepper cut in half just for flavoring. Remove after about 5-7 minutes and discard. Do not worry if it seems runny, you want it to be moist.

Step 2: Add 1/4 C olive oil to sauce pan and then add uncooked rice and stir. Paying close attention stir and heat rice being careful not to burn about 3 minutes. Add 3 cups of water bring to boil then reduce heat. Allow to steam for about 20 minutes. Remove from heat, stir, let sit additional couple minute then add rice to meat mixture.

Step 3: Chop cauliflower into small pieces and steam/boil until its soft, but not soggy.

Step 4: Put meat/rice mixture in the bottom of casserole dish, next layer cooked cauliflower on top, and then spread sour cream mixture on over top. Bake at 350 for 40 minutes, or until sour cream starts to lightly brown on edges. Serve!



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Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Poppie


I have an obsession with graphic Tee's right now from making my own DIY versions to scoring random gems like this little Tee. I was actually a bit disappointed with the overall fit of the shirt when it came in the mail, but it looks good under blazers and I love pairing the pink in it with my bright orange blazer. Please excuse how pale my legs are in these pictures. I planned on wearing my black ripped denim with this outfit, but I forgot to pack them and I took these pictures on a trip to visit my sister, so I threw on my trusted black dress shorts and my sisters boots..the only thing missing was my trusted St Tropez tanning lotion! 






Top @ Romwe
Blazer @ H&M
Shorts @ Le Chateau
Watch @ Aldo
Boots @ Pseudio


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Monday, October 21, 2013

Stripes & Cognac

I wore this outfit to a dinner party this summer and felt comfortable all night in it. You can throw on a black blazer easily over top to take it from day to night. I really love cognac for accent accessories. I feel like its a brown that goes with anything from other browns, to black, and almost every color in between. This stripe top was so perfect for the dinner party because it hugs the waist where you want to look smaller and then flows out.. meaning I could still eat a lot and not worry about a bulge showing haha!





Top @ H&M
Pants @ H&M
Watch & Necklace @ Aldo
Booties (old similiar here) @ Aldo

Pajama Style Garden Pants

 
When I first started seeing pajamas as a trend on the runways I wasn't exactly sold. Sure, they looked comfy, but I mean the prints & styles were what I picture my grandparents wearing to bed. Then I found these PJ  style pants and I was sold. These silky pants are so comfortable and the pattern reminds me of a botanical garden you would find somewhere in Asia with all the Chinese tree pink blossoms. I wore them to work one day and everyone kept saying how wild my pants are, but I think they are so fun! What do you think? Would you wear these?
 

 
 
 

Silk PJ Pants @ Romwe
Tank & Blazer @ H&M
Watch @ Aldo
Black Heels @ Aldo
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Tanning Bed In A Tube

Every gal's secret winter weapon, and mine for the past 6 or 7 years, is going to be Too Faced's Tanning Bed In A Tube. This delicious tropical smelling cream is an instant bronzing gradual self tanner that gives your skin an immediate glow and with constant use builds a sunless tan. It is super easy to apply, just squirt a dollop in your hands to smooth over legs, or I mix it with my face cream before I put make up on to bronze my face. Not only does it deliver a gorgeous glow, but it has Grape Seed extract & Safflower Oil to moisturize skin as well as a firming formula that stimulates collagen and elastin production, who doesn't want that?! Oh, and its vegan friendly! 




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Sunday, October 20, 2013

Noisy May

Meet Noisy may

She's noisy, but she's nice.

I honestly haven't owned a pair of jeans I've felt comfortable in that I want to wear to dress up, or even dress down for years. Don't get me wrong, I've still bought some and worn them now and then, but I always felt like they were too tight, too low, and too uncomfortable. Jeans seem to be one of those things all women have a love hate relationship with, but I am here to tell you I have a new favorite pair of denim.  They are deemed the younger and louder sibling of Danish brand Vero Moda. When I first went into the store and told the workers I was looking for what they would consider "Mom jeans" all they could do was muster, why?? What they obviously didn't know is that not only are Mom jeans coming back in style, but they are so much more comfortable and attractive than low rise jeans (unless you're built like Miley Cyrus). So, after trying on probably 30 pairs of jeans I ended up falling in love with non other than the high waisted skinny's by Noisy May!






Jeans Noisy May @ Pseudio
Booties & Watch @ Aldo
Blazer @ H&M
Scarf @ Le Chateau
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Saturday, October 19, 2013

Unicorn Sweater

I bought this unicorn sweater a while ago on Asos and as soon as I saw it I just had to have it, but it was too hot until recently to really start wearing it. Asos was my absolute favorite website to order from while I was living in Europe, but when you order from Canada they charge you a lot in duties which makes ordering from there make no sense when lots of great sites don't charge.. but I still miss it. Either way, I love Fall and chill cozy Fall fashion like this super cute comfy sweater.


Unicorn sweater @ Asos
Blue Slacks @ H&M
Weston Bag @ Michael Kors
Nude Heels @ Aldo
Bracelet @ H&M
 
  
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Friday, October 18, 2013

Skin Solutions

Of course there are certain situations that require more assistance when it comes to the skin, but there are also lots of easy great ways to get "younger", healthier, radiant looking skin and it really starts from the inside out. Whatever you put into your body comes out and part of those toxins are released through the skin. So, if you want your skin to look better remember to exercise, eat healthy, and drink lots and lots of h2o! Other than eating and drinking, here are some more tips to help maintain youthful wrinkle & acne free skin!

1) TAKE IT OFF: Do NOT go to bed without taking your make up off!! Whip out your favorite face wash & remove your eye make up before you snooze (I love coconut oil to take my mascara off ). You don't want to be rolling around all night snoring and sweating clogging up your pores with yesterdays make up. For a DIY make up remover recipe click here




2) ROUTINE: Getting into a routine to start getting ready for bed before you're too tired to think will help. Take those 10 extra minutes to wash your face, apply toner, and a nightly moisturizer before bed and remember, whatever moisture your skin needs in the AM it also needs in the PM and vise versa. But remember that skin is not static, it is always changing meaning what worked for you last year might not work for you next year. In a nutshell, you're going to want to change up your products, but stay consistent to your routine. Pay attention to your skin and get check ups from professionals & treat yourself to facials! *wash your hands after using hair products before applying moisturizer or make up! Hair gels/sprays/treatments can clog your pores & cause breakouts!!


3) EXFOLIATE: Exfoliating your skin might be one of the best things you can do for it. It helps to get rid of dead skin and regenerate new cells, but you need to be careful not to be overly forceful with your skin you don't want to strip your skin of its natural moisture barrier, which can potentially accelerate the aging process. You can make your own exfoliant using salt, or sugar and keep it by the sink (sugar works great for lips & you can mix salt with yogurt for a body scrub, becareful not to overdo it with salt though because it can dry your skin out). I keep Beauti Control Spa Facial Exfoliating Polish in my shower. Its the perfect light scrub to use in the mornings to get the sleep off and start the day!



4) RETINOID + VIT C: If you're concerned about acne scars or wrinkles and you're not using a retinoid you should start. Certain types are only available through a doctor, but I use over the counter Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Night Moisturizer and it really helps to clear up acne, make pores appear smaller, and repair fine lines. Also, keep an eye out for skincare products that include vitamin C which is an anti-inflammatory! 





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Thursday, October 17, 2013

Make Up For Ever Foundation Reviews: HD & MATTE


Every year when winter comes I start to update my wardrobe and my color palettes to get ready for the weather to get colder and my skin to get increasingly more pale and dry. Recently, I went to get my favorite brand of foundation and it was no where to be found, so I asked the ladies at Sephora to help match me up with a good product for Fall and ended up trying two foundations by Make Up For Ever.

At first I went home with MAKE UP FOR EVER Mat Velvet + Matifying Foundation. This foundation comes in 16 shades and I matched up so perfectly to shade 25 that I ignored the warning that is was for oily skin and decided to give it a try anyways. Buyer beware, pay attention to the bottle. This foundation because it is a MATTE foundation does not work for dry skin. It has great coverage and colors, but it stuck to all my dry patches leaving the look on my skin like I had on a badly set powder and clumped to any rough patches. But, if you have normal, or even more oily skin this is a perfect foundation for you!


 
So, for the first time in my life I returned something to Sephora and went back on the hunt. I really wanted to try Laura Mercier's foundation for dry skin, but they didn't have any shades light enough, so I decided to give Make Up For Ever another run and purchased MAKE UP FOR EVER HD Invisible Cover Foundation. This foundation comes in a miraculous 26 shades and if you go to the website it will indicate for each shade what undertone is matches up with. I am a yellow undertone, so I went with color 117. I would say this foundation is a medium coverage and almost lives up to being invisible. Again, anytime you have dry skin medium to full coverage foundations are bound to show up a little on dry areas, but it is definitely more dewy than the matte foundation and I like the overall effect. It is a small bottle and costs in Canada about 40CAD, so I don't know if its the best bang for your buck, but I will stick with it and see how long it lasts both on my face throughout the day AND time wise over the next couple months.
 
 

 

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DIY Chanel Tees: Two Ways To Wear

I took these pictures when I was at home visiting my mom & little sister. I made my sister Elly a few DIY tees and wanted to show you guys two different ways to wear them. My outfit is a little more dressed up with galaxy leggings & wedges where Elly's is a little more casual with boots, a scarf, and leather leggings. I love these pictures of Elly and make me miss home. Doesn't she have the best curly hair?? I would do anything for these curls. Sorry some of the pictures are different sizes/better quality. This is my first post ever uploading outfit pictures from my camera, so I'm still trying to get the hang of it! xo
 




 

On Elly:
Leggings @ Romwe
Jacket & Plaid Shirt @ Garage
Chanel T @ DIY
Brown & Black Boots @ Pseudio
Scarf @ Aldo
 
On Kade:
Leggings @ Romwe
Chanel T @ DIY
Fur Vest @ H&M
Wedges @ Aldo
 
 
 
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Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Better Brows: Make Up Forever Aqua Brow Product Review

I am always on the search for ways to improve my too blonde too short eyebrows. Eyebrows can really make or break the overall look of your face because of how they frame your eyes and draw attention to the center of the face. After years of using pencils, I ended up with two favorite brands LancĂ´me & Too Faced, but hated dishing out 40 dollars on a pencil that I had to sharpen almost everyday and went through them far too much. So, I decided to try a wax powder kit and really liked the effect of Benefits Brow Zings. Brow Zings is a great product if you have the time and patience to prefect the look you're going for, but when I work early mornings I was ending up with too bushy/too waxy brows and went back on the hunt for the perfect brow product and ended up with this dream boat of a brow gel....


Make Up Forever Aqua Brow comes in four different shades and is the best brow product I have ever used. It goes on so easily to create the perfect look and stays put all day. It claims to be waterproof & I'm not sure that I would go that far because it does wash off really easily, but it creates the look of full brows and is completely smudge proof. I use the small brushes from the Brow Zings kit to apply it because they are so small that they deposit the perfect amount of product on the brows & I also finish the look off using the powder from the Brow Zings kit over top of the Aqua Brow gel to darken and soften the look. Aqua Brow is only 20 dollars and Sephora workers state it should last about one year, so we will see about that. Either way, its half the price of the pencils, it gives the perfect look, and stays on all day! I'll be using this product for a long time to come!
Suggested Use:




 
-Using an angled brush, pretend there is a vertical line from side of your nose (you can take a pencil & line it up beside your nose to get an idea of where the imaginary line will start on both sides) and start to fill your brow in from that line outwards, continuing towards the arch of the brow and then make a thinner line down to the tail.
-Fill in sparse areas and blend. Top with powder to set if you wish.

Tip: When you first start to fill in your brows you might think you look like a werewolf, or fear that you look like you have a unibrow.. it is normal to feel that way if you aren't used to it, but do not worry you do not look that way and any time you need brow inspiration please look at top model Cara Delevingne and her amazing brows.



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