Alpha Blonde

Makeup Organization: Magnetic Board.

2012-01-14T10:54:00.000-07:00

Via Pinterest

I came across this idea and thought it was brilliant! No digging around in a bag and everything is so easy to spot!

Here is another one using a frame:

Source and Instructions here

What do you all think? If I make one myself I'll be sure to post pics, and show me yours if you have made one! xo

Scenes from my Birthday + Have a merry Christmas!

2011-12-24T18:22:00.000-07:00

Hi all! The 22nd was my birthday and the boyfriend surprised me with cake pops made from scratch (for breakfast..ha!) They were seriously delicious. We then saw 'The girl with the dragon tattoo' (loved.) And went downtown for some food and drinks.

Only managed to snap one picture of my outfit because it was fah-reezing that night...I think 10 degrees F? ah!

We went to a wine bar called 'Cellar' first. All the wines & tapas plates were phenomenal as was the service.. highly recommend!

Our view from 'Linger' I ate waaay too much, but the food was SO good! I'd love to go back when it's warm to sit on the roof, the view is gorgeous. That big metal structure is an ice cream place shaped like an old milk jar...neat!

Last, but not least, Ivan says 'Merry Christmas...and stay warm!' ;)

All I want to do is bake, bake!

2011-12-19T18:31:00.004-07:00

...when it looks like this outside....

...I want everything I eat to come hot out of the oven!

Which is why I've been baking like crazy. Casseroles, cakes, cookies, bread ...you name it!

I actually don't eat everything I bake, sometimes I just like the cooking part; being next to the hot stove is a plus.

So a few girlfriends asked if I would make them a 'healthy' mac and cheese. I made them a dish and the boyfriend one and they both asked for it again so I figured why not share it with you all! :)

Creamy 'green' Mac n' cheese with sun dried tomato & basil pesto.

What you will need:

-Plain yogurt

-Light or low fat feta cheese (I prefer goat, but this wasn't for me..)

-1 box Elbow macaroni (multigrain version)

-1 bunch collard greens (use any leafy green veg you like!)

-Olive oil

-Multigrain or whole wheat flour

-1 bag or small block parmesan cheese

-1 small white or yellow onion

-Garlic (whole or bottled)

-basil pesto (made mine from scratch)

-sundried tomato pesto (Giada's bottled version from Target)

Directions

1. In a medium-large saucepan with olive oil start by cooking 1 cup chopped onion and around 5 chopped cloves or 3 tbsp bottled garlic on medium heat until the onion is slightly golden. Start boiling your box of macaroni according to instructions.

2. While this is going on, start washing and chopping your greens into small pieces: Add approximately 4-5 cups chopped collared greens to the pan. (leafy part only!)

3. When the greens look soft and wilted add 1 1/2 cups of plain yogurt to the pan, 1 cup feta cheese, 3 tbsp of both pestos and 1/2 cup multigrain flour, mix it all very well. Simmer over lower heat until it starts to thicken, be sure to stir well.

4. Add your cooked macaroni to your baking dish, poor the sauce over the macaroni coating it evenly.

5. Last, but not least, mix your grated parmesan into the dish, leaving enough to cover the top. (I used about 3/4 of the bag)

6. Broil the macaroni on low for about 10-15 minutes or until it is a golden brown on top.

...and because I, yet again, cannot find my camera... (I've been moving) here is a picture of what it looked just like!

Extra tip:
For portion control try this recipe using a muffin dish, what a great idea!

Via Emily Bites

Hopefully I find my camera soon...I have some things to share with you all! p.s. If you try this let me know how you liked it!

SHOEMINT + Giveaway!

2011-11-21T15:58:00.001-07:00

I LOVE shoes. Don't you? I am way too excited over ShoeMint launching which is going to be a collaboration with Rachel Bilson and Steve Madden...excited yet?!

If you haven't heard of the 'Mint' businesses, they are members only websites that offer really amazing deals on a specific product according to your tastes.

When I signed up it said if I got 40+ people to sign through my link my first pair of shoes would be $1! I figured this would be the perfect giveaway opportunity. It's only for the first 100 people who accomplish this so hurry and sign up. Let me know if you did in the box below so I can enter you into the giveaway!

Recent purchases

2011-11-17T15:34:00.000-07:00

I love this handcreme! It is made from the same creator of Tokyo Milk. Available at WholeFoods (finally!) All of the scents are fantastic and it's one of the best cremes I've used.

http://www.loveandtoast.com/

How gorgeous is this shadow? It's the perfect purple-taupe and I had to have it after seeing Holly's review on it here.

I had to have this cardigan after seeing it on Ashley Tisdale, but A) it is $211 and B) It was sold out everywhere. I got really lucky and found it in the cream color on ebay for only $57! Crazy right?!

Here is Ashley wearing the 'Butterscotch' version of the Goddis 'Angelo' cardigan.

p.s. I am still on a buying 'ban' but this was some saved up Paypal money which I don't count. ever. lol

New Blog! "Daily Dupes"

2011-11-13T10:01:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone! I just wanted to share with you a new blog I've made, titled "Daily Dupes." When you love shopping as much as I do it gets to be pretty expensive. On this blog, once a day, I will post any dupes that I find (I find SO many great ones!). This will include everything; clothing, accessories, furniture, makeup, etc.

Check it out here.

Product RAVE: Bliss Steep Clean Mask

2011-11-02T15:59:00.000-06:00

The packaging isn't the greatest as the pump is kind of hard to maneuver, but I've found that if I dispense one side at a time, I get the product out just fine. Read below for the review!

This is my latest MUST have item, and I wanted to share it today because I believe today is the last day for Sephora's Friends and Family sale.

I tried this product three times before buying it and finally purchased it. At $54 I was a bit hesitant to jump for it since my skin can love something at first, but then the product can end up not doing much later on, you guys know what I mean?

Anyway this mask is quite literally the greatest thing I have ever tried. ever. I have never had a facial, but I have had all sorts of peels and after purchasing this I don't think I'll ever have to spend $60-$75 on one peel again. Besides, this is even better.

How I apply and remove this.

-I wash my face with warm water as usual

-Dab my face with a dry wash cloth, but leave it a little damp

-Pump a quarter size amount into palm

-Rub together to activate the enzymes

-Apply to face and neck (even the decollete if you want)

-Leave it on for 15 minutes

-Rub off with a warm wet cloth

Your face will then be a little red from the enzymes and rubbing off with the cloth, but do this before bed once a week and you will wake up with the nicest skin you've ever seen! It calmed existing blemishes and cleared my pores like nothing I've ever used. My skin was/still is GLOWING. It looks smooth, clear, and radiant...even my boyfriend who normally doesn't notice much unless something looks really bad exclaimed (As soon as we woke up) "Wow! What did you do to your skin?!!" And asked if he could try it (He has never asked to use any of my skincare products and I have tons)

This is actually what I was expecting from the clarisonic, because of all the phenomenal reviews, but had pretty mundane results.

Does anyone else love this product as much as I do??

New Haircut + Prize from GlossGoss

2011-11-01T21:51:00.000-06:00

(Terrible quality I know, but I couldn't find my camera anywhere!)

Hello pretties! Just wanted to show you the new do' ...I loved my long hair, but it was getting to be a huge pain in the butt styling it every day. It's nice to have a little extra time in the mornings...finally!

Tossed on whatever and ran over to Dillard's to break my 'buying ban' *which is technically for clothes anyway;) Can't wait to show you what I got...it's sooo pretty!

and finally, the prize I won over on Tali's blog! I have been using that rosal lip balm like crazy and I'm really enjoying all of the good smelling masks and body washes I got. She also threw in some other goodies like this

which has turned out to be fantastic, a sleek pout paint, and a book she is currently reading which is funny because I have been meaning to read (for pleasure) again. Thank you so much Tali!! xoxo

OOTD & Knot Ring Dupe

2011-10-29T13:56:00.000-06:00

It was nice and warm out (a few) days ago so I figured I'd bust out a pair of shorts before it gets too cold!

Top: ASOS

Shorts: Forever21

I saw these rings on some website, but they were around $150 and looked to be easily duped so I searched Etsy to find mine. I love it because I don't ever have to take it off which is good because I have a problem remembering to put on any jewelry I own...I guess I am always in such a rush!

Etsy always comes to my rescue for great dupes and really reasonable prices...plus it feels good to support a small company. I think I paid $18 total? Here is the shop Autumn Equinox.

Ins & Outs Picture Ed.

2011-10-28T14:08:00.001-06:00

Ins

Pumpkin Carving

Tim Burton movies to get into the Halloween Spirit

(This one is my personal favorite)

Celestial Seasonings Holiday Tea

This is so yummy! It tastes just like a gingerbread cookie and really puts you into the holiday spirit!

American Horror Story

Ummm can we talk about this show for a sec?

Everyone has been saying how much they like this show, but I had the hardest time finding it on t.v. and since I assumed it was an ABC or CW show I wasn't too eager to find it anyway. However, once I heard it was on FX (Thanks Kathleen! ;) I scurried like crazy to find it...FX is more my style..it's kinda like HBO for us non-subscribers and I don't think they've ever had a bad show.

This show isn't necessarily 'scary' to me...I mean let's face it, my favorite movie was 'Texas chainsaw massacre' when I was four years old (let's not even talk about why I was allowed to watch this..lordy)However I appreciate that it's not cheesy over-the-top gore or jumpy scare tactics ..finally! That type of writing in a horror movie/show is for people who don't know how to write. And of course...being an FX show there are

puh-lenty of sexy scenes! Oh and a fair warning, if you're not used to horror movies and shows this will probably scare the shit out of you. lol.

Outs

-Schizo weather

(It snowed 8 inches in one night 2 days ago and now it's hot again)

-Buying ban until black friday/cyber monday..aggh!

-School having me read so much that I have no time to do anything else, including blogging :(

I would love to hear your lists! What do you think about 'American Horror Story?' Love, hate??

Laura Mercier Lip Glacé

2011-10-16T14:16:00.002-06:00

L: 'Bare Naked' R: 'Bare Baby'

I recently purchased my first Laura Mercier's Lip Glace lipglosses after reading how much Holly of YM beauty blog loves them here. These have replaced my MAC lipglass as my staple gloss. They are tacky enough that they don't feel like they are seeping outside of my lip line, but not so much that you have to worry about your hair getting stuck to your lips. I also LOVE that they do not create that terrible white residue on the inside of your lips once it's worn off (Underage lipglass always does that to me, yuck!).

Another plus is that they are very moisturizing and if your lips are dry they do not accentuate flakes..yay! They have a vanilla frosting type of scent, but you can smell a little bit of a 'plastic' scent underlying it, but it is so subtle that it doesn't bother me at all. They are also much less opaque than lipglasses which I like because I feel like it makes them more flattering.

They are $22 a piece, but I've gotten a lot of use out of them and will definitely buy again!

p.s. will post some lip swatches later this week.

Pumpkin Festival + Colored Jeans

2011-10-09T17:49:00.002-06:00

Acres of beautiful pumpkins!

Giant gourds.

Oh hai....

Found one!

Look at all the leaves <3

How was everyone's Sunday? Have you got a pumpkin to carve yet? =)

Small haul + OOTN

2011-10-01T22:03:00.001-06:00

Hey beauties! Just wanted to share a few purchases from the other day. I was really itching to grab the green pair of jeans from Urban Outfitters the minute I saw them online. I love the brand BDG and I am addicted to green anything at the moment...I can't wait to wear them!

I also bought 'Jade is the new black' by OPI after wanting it forever and my local Trade Secret finally got one in stock. The scarf is from F21 and it was only a whopping $7.50!

I am in love with the last piece which is a maxi skirt from Nordstrom's junior section 'Brass Plum'...I think it was orginally $70 marked down to $30. The material is fantastic and is has a really nice asymmetrical ruching.

Here is my outfit from tonight's dinner. The bottom is the skirt from above and the top is LA made. It was really warm out so I just wore a pair of plain black sandals.

Hope you all have a lovely weekend! :)

The Body Shop Extra Virgin Minerals Compact Foundation Review

2011-09-30T01:23:00.000-06:00

This brush actually works really well with the foundation, it picks up the perfect amount of product and blends it really well.

The color is 202 Natural Vanilla

I had to order this blindly so it is a tiny bit yellow for my skin. I would compare it to an NC20 in MAC.

So I first saw Anna Saccone rave about this on Youtube and she even wore it on her wedding day, it looked fantastic in the video, so I knew I had to get my hands on it! I love that it is a cream to powder finish and it has the benefits of minerals plus extra virgin olive oil, hence the name.

The Finish: It's more satin than a matte finish, you can see the slight luminescence in the swatch above.

Coverage: Sheer to medium, but very buildable, you may need concealer for the really red blemishes.

Features of the product: Super silky, light weight cream, feels like you are applying nothing to your face, but looks flawless! This doesn't become greasy on my skin, but you may need a touch up if you are very oily. It also stays true to color.

Overall, the reason I am really loving this foundation is because it looks like skin, it also feels like you are wearing nothing. At $25 a compact I would highly recommend you check this out, they are also running a buy 2 get 1 free special at the moment!

See here

(I'll have better pics coming up in some OOTD)

How to Throw a Spooky Halloween Party, with Jeffrey Moss | Pottery Barn

2011-09-29T14:46:00.001-06:00

I wanted to share this video because I *always* get excited to see what Halloween decorations Pottery Barn comes out with, and this year is one of my favorites. They (Jeffrey Moss) took inspiration from 'Sleepy Hollow' which is my favorite book *and* movie ever! I love the touches of moss and crow figurines, take a look!

Pastel Generation.

2011-09-15T21:03:00.001-06:00

What do you all think of the pastel-colored hair trend going on? I personally love it, and really wanted to try it before I start my internship, as it will be a very professional environment.

Here is what I was going for.

Here is my version. It's really subtle which is what I was going for. Don't leave it on too long to achieve the pastel look.

Here is the dye I used, which can be purchased from Sally's Beauty Supply, they have so many colors!

Looks good on dark hair too!

This is a really neat video of a hairstylist achieving this same look, only temporary, using loose eyeshadow!

In other news, I am officially out of my favorite lipstick. ever. 'Innocence, beware!' from MAC, but Jessie from Don't call me Jessie (love her blog!) let me know that it will be coming back out in Spring of 2012, HALLELUJAH.

Beauty products that don't break me out.

2011-09-12T19:45:00.002-06:00

Hi everyone! Here's comes the *disclaimer*

I know everyone has very different skin and there are many different factors that come into play with breakouts. It really depends on the climate you are in, the stress you are under, how in balance your hormones are, and of course genetics. I decided to do a post on which products do not cause me irritation or breakouts, with the last bit being on remedies to correct/treat breakouts. The reason for this post is to maybe get an idea of what you can try if you are suffering from breakouts, because I have literally experimented with everything.

My skin type is: On the drier side (it really likes the humidity!) It does tend to be normal if I regularly use my moisturizer or when I visit humid climates, hello east coast! breakouts from cosmetics normally occur on my upper/inner cheek area (think under eyes/towards the nose) and very rarely my forehead. Hormonal breakouts/everyday breakouts always occur on my jawline and the lower/central parts of my cheeks(think right below where you would apply blush).

Foundations: L-R

These foundations, for whatever reason do not break me out, my theory for the two liquids is the high water content, and with the bareminerals the low amount of ingredients plus the lack of the irritating bismuth oxychloride.

1. MakeUp Forever Face and Body

2. BareMinerals Matte

3. Lancome Teint Miracle

Cleansers: L-R

I cannot stress how important it is to use a gentle cleanser if you're experiencing breakouts. Your face is already irritated and you can leave all the bacterial fighting action to the actual treatments. However you also want a cleanser that will actually clean so skip the heavy lotion type cleansers.

1.BareMinerals Purifying Cleanser

2. Fresh Soy Face

3.Clarisonic gentle hydro

Sunscreen: Clarins anything really, but this one is my favorite UV plus Ecran Jour Haute Protection SPF 40.

This specific sunscreen is mineral rather than chemical based which could explain the lack of breakouts, I know a lot of people that have great experiences with Clarins' sunscreens!

Moisturizers: L-R

This category has been the most frustrating for me, I LOVE moisturizing, but they always seem to clog my pores, break me out, or aren't moisturizing enough.

1.MAC Fix+; You all maybe scratching your head at this, but if I spray this on my face before makeup or mix it with my minerals before applying, it really does moisturize, it must be the essential oils in the ingredients.

2.Vanicream lite lotion; Perfection for severely irritated/acne prone skin as it lacks fragrances and junky fillers as well as preservatives, I also like the regular when I am really dry.

3. Dermae Very clear; I use this during a breakout to help clear it. The consistency of this stuff sucks to put it simply so I recommend putting it on before bed. It is very heavy and dries really fast, but it's chock full of tea tree oil , other nourishing essential oils, and my skin looks great in the morning!

4. Reviva Labs Hyaluronic Acid; this isn't so much a moisturizer as it is more of a boosting serum to put under your moisturizer, but I love it either way. Read a perfect review on it here.

Lastly, these are my favorite remedies for breakouts and keeping them under control.

L-R:

1. Sudocrem; for those rashy/allergic reaction type of bumps, smells great too!

2.DDF Benzoyl Peroxide Gel 5%; for those very painful bright red cystic bumps, this is the only benzoyl peroxide treatment that doesn't give me an allergic reaction or dry out my skin.

3. Stridex Pads Max; general breakouts as well as black/white heads, these things are like a lesser grade peel you get at the derm, fantastic! This will burn at first, stick with it, it's worth it!

4. Kate Somerville Eradikate acne treatment; takes the swelling away from pimples especially if you have been poking and prodding, a really good quick fix too!

On my last note I would like to say that drinking a TON of water and only water, plus CONSISTENCY has really helped me. The best advice I've ever received is to not experiment with too many products in a short amount of time, as this can really screw with your skin. (I know it's hard and all for us beauty junkies, but it's true).

What are your tried and true products that do not break you out, and what do you use when you do have a breakout?

My 10 Fall Must Haves

2011-09-04T17:53:00.000-06:00

Hello beautiful people! I know you will see TONS of fall fashion

related posts, but I wanted to share a few timeless fall staples

that I love wearing and I feel everyone should have!

1. Hunter Wellingtons

Simply the best way to keep the flurries off your feet.

Plus, they go with every outfit and every type of weather.

(Splurge: Hunter Steal: Tretorn)

2. Linen Scarf

For the days that aren't too cold

(Splurge: LoveQuotes Steal: F21/H&M)

3. Cape

So elegant; it's a nice change from a regular coat.

(Splurge: Rag and Bone Steal: BB dakota/Cheap Monday)

4. Snood

I love me a good snood.

(Splurge: All Saints Steal: ASOS)

5. Floppy hat

Whether it's wide brimmed or fedora, etc.

(Splurge: Rag & Bone Steal: TopShop/ASOS/F21/H&M)

6. Glasses

May sound like a strange must have, but they add a chic touch to a plain outfit and keep the cold air/snow out of your eyes

(Splurge: Elizabeth and James Steal: Urban Outfitters)

7. Basic camel trench

Keeps you warm and never goes out of style.

(Splurge: You name it! Steal: Topshop/French Connection/ASOS)

8. Tights and Socks

Go crazy with different colors or choose a classic black.

(Splurge: Falke Steal: Target/F21)

9. Maxi Skirt

With an oversized sweater and boots. Perfection.

(Splurge: Helmut Lang/Maison Martin Steal: F21/Splendid/Victoria's Secret)

10. Combat Boots

Wear them with everythinnngg.

(Splurge: Balmain/Givenchy Steal: F21/Express/Aldo/Steve Madden)

Is everyone excited for fall?! What are your favorite things to wear during the colder months?

Made Her Think

2011-08-31T20:49:00.000-06:00

Hey all! Just wanted to share my new purchase with you.

They are asymmetric tusk earrings from the brand 'Made her think' I had been wanting them forever and finally took the plunge.

Have you seen how amazing their jewelry is? Looky here.

Alpha Blonde has a FaceBook.

2011-08-31T09:15:00.001-06:00

Hello all! Just wanted to let you guys know that I made a facebook page for the blog. Not everyone has a twitter and not everything is relative enough to blog about so I thought Facebook would be a good outlet.

Mix n' match nails.

2011-08-29T14:17:00.000-06:00

.........It's still a thousand degrees out, but my nails say otherwise. ;)

Mara Hoffman look for less.

2011-08-28T23:10:00.001-06:00

Mara Hoffman $165

Billabong $80

I love the new Mara Hoffman swimsuit, but it's a bit pricey at $165. Then I found this version and look at how similar this swimsuit is for half the price!

Gorgeous Zimmermann Bikini For Sale

2011-08-20T15:58:00.000-06:00

Brand new Zimmermann bikini for sale AUS size 1/US size 6 (but fits more like a 4) absolutely gorgeous, but the top is too large for me. Sold out everywhere! Retail value: $230

$185 +free shipping in North America, $10 Shipping everywhere else.

Email me if interested: Alpha-Blonde@hotmail.com

Seaquarium.

2011-08-20T14:02:00.000-06:00

Missoni for Target: My Picks

2011-08-13T23:53:00.002-06:00

I love that Missoni is also releasing lifestyle pieces as well as clothes. These are all my personal favorites from the collection. I'm sure some of my readers will love and be able to pull off the clothes, but they're not my cup o' tea. But seriously, who wants to take a cruise on that bad boy?

Release date: Sept, 13th.

See the rest of the collection here:

Click Me

Jeffrey Campbell goes Vegan

2011-08-02T14:09:00.001-06:00

Somebody. Pinch me.

I always drool over Jeffrey Campbell shoes, but in trying to stick to veganism with my fashion as well as lifestyle choices I have never purchased a pair. He has FINALLY collaborated with a boutique in the bay area, 'Convert' and these are my three favorite styles. Especially that first pair....omg.

**Unfortunately I do not think these can be purchased online...If anyone is in the bay area and would be willing to purchase the first pair 'Rockin' for me, PLEASE shoot me an email as I would be happy to compensate you for the shoes as well as your time and energy!**

View the rest of the collection here: http://www.convertstyle.com/shoes/jeffrey-campbell

Beauty Wishlist For the Month of August

2011-08-01T00:09:00.000-06:00

From Sephora for OPI's collection 'Safari Luxe'

Wild about shimmer, Don't feed the hand models, & A color that can't be tamed

NARS' new 'Larger Than Life' glosses. These colors look gorgeous and they are supposed to be both long lasting and plumping! Joy.

MAC 'Ruby Woo' lipstick. I have been wanting this forever. Such a beautiful retro red.

This is also something I've wanted forever. It seems amazing for brows. Waterproof, and a cream>Powder

The Apocalyptic Ball 2011

2011-07-25T00:18:00.001-06:00

So this was the second year of The Apocalyptic Ball, which is an amazing HIV/AIDS fundraiser here in Denver. This year was great as anyone was allowed to try out, so on top of the usual fabulous drag we also had burlesque dancers, pole dancers, and aerial dancers as well!

My Drag BFF, isn't he so pretty?

FOTD: M.A.C. Surf Baby!

2011-07-15T16:14:00.000-06:00

Hey guys! I thought I would try out the crushed metallic pigments I got from the 'surf, baby!' collection from MAC today. The colors have a really pretty shimmery look, but they tend to irritate my eyes if I'm not careful.

Eyes:
-Lightest color from 'Summer Stash' pigments on lid
-Darkest color from 'Summer stash' pigments in crease
-NARS 'Mekong' also in crease and as liner
-MAC 'Vanilla' e/s as highlight

Lips:
-MAC 'Innocence, Beware!' from the venomous villains collex ....down to a little nub =(
-Make Up For Ever lab shine 'D12'

Face:
-Make Up For Ever Face and Body 'Alabaster beige'
-Origins multigrain powder in 'medium'
-MAC creme blush in 'Something Special' ...LOVE this!

I'll try to do FOTD's more often, I've purchased more makeup as of late! oh and p.s. have any of you bought this brush set yet? I love colored brushes, but was just wondering about the quality.

(Thanks to KarlaSugar.net for the photo)

NOTD: Butter London 'Lady Muck'

2011-07-14T15:28:00.002-06:00

I had to get this nail polish as soon as I saw it. Not only is this my first Butter London polish, but I don't have anything like this shade. While I can rave about the actual color it's the formula that has me a little bummed. For $14 you would think the application would be silky smooth, but it has a tacky consistency which makes it very difficult to layer and it dries super quick...

So while I am glad I have a unique color like this added to my nail polish collection, I, *sadly* will not buy another polish from this line, which is too bad because they have some AMAZING colors!

Lust: Pamela Love Jewelry

2011-06-11T00:24:00.000-06:00

Lately I have been obsessed with this designer's jewelry! I love how different it is and it would be the perfect accessory to an otherwise plain outfit. Take a look at a few of my favorites below.

Meet Conner!

2011-06-07T10:13:00.000-06:00

Hi all! I have been very busy the past few days with my new little man, Conner! I searched everywhere for a chocolate lab, but nearly all of them said no cats, but I finally found this little guy a few days ago. I will admit I haven't had a dog in a very long time and this was a lot younger than I was planning on getting, it is seriously like having a baby! He loves playing with the cat (bites his butt lol) and chewing on his bones and toys. I'll try to get a video up of him soon, but until then enjoy the pictures!

Done walking!

This is my bed!

p.s. Any puppy advice appreciated!

Zucchini pasta with fresh almond basil

2011-06-03T18:28:00.000-06:00

I bought a HUGE basil plant today and had to make pesto. I love it spread on sandwiches and mixed in with spaghetti. Instead of regular noodles, however, I busted out my spiralizer and made angel hair out of zucchini! It's amazing how comparable these are to your normal grain or egg noodles, but minus all the fat, calories and a whole let less carbs!

I will be posting the actual recipe on The Vegan Blog very soon, so sit tight for that. ;)

Aldo Ethnic Print Wedges

2011-06-02T15:03:00.001-06:00

I am on a wedge frenzy due to the impeding warm weather and my latest obsession are my new 'Sobeslava' wedges from Aldo's SS2011 collection. They are super comfy and go with everything!

Another thing I wanted to mention is that I have been eating kale like crazy lately...I replace regular lettuce for kale on sandwiches and I recently made kale 'chips' that are so delicious let alone very healthy!

To make the kale chips I clean and separate bundles of kale and roll the pieces lightly in olive oil and sprinkle very lightly with salt, pepper, and cayenne.

Pop the chips into the oven for about 15-20 min. at 410 degrees and voila instant healthy crack..er snack. ;)

My top 10 Spring/Summer '11 Must Haves

2011-05-03T16:05:00.001-06:00

(click to enlarge)

Hey everyone! I thought I would do a post on things I want/plan on getting for the warmer months straight ahead!

1. Raffia/Straw fedora: In particular the wide brimmed version is on trend.

2. Colorful/light weight print scarf: I love scarfs all year round. For the warmer months get a very light weight
one and wear it with a plain tee or even as a head wrap is really cute.

3. Time to break out the bright polishes: My favorites are cobalt blue, mint, peach/coral, and bright berry.

4. Espadrilles are everywhere right now, but my personal favorites are Jeffrey Campbell's foxy version, so hot!

5. Arm bands/cuffs: Wear these either on your upper arm or bicep, these are the perfect accessory for those really hot tank top/vest days.

6. I love ethnic prints for the warmer months, it just reminds me of summer.

7. Gauze and crochet tops are perfect for the heat because they are breathable and have that 'summer of love' vibe.

8. Again, perfect example of a beautiful ethnic print, that I love!

9. Bright colored skinny jeans: I love the J brand version, the fit is amazing and they have so many colors, thankfully there are affordable versions everywhere.

10. This Marc Jacobs bag is the perfect mix of two trends raffia and a splash of neon color!

What is on your wishlist??

Sephora B.I. 15% off goodies

2011-04-19T16:09:00.002-06:00

If you didn't already know, coupons were sent out to beauty insiders to get 15% off their purchases from April 15th to the 21st (you still have time!!). I needed more of my tinted moisturizer so it was perfect timing.

I grabbed:

1) Yes, *another* Make Up For Ever lab shine: I really love these, this one is like a 10x better version of MAC's dazzleglass, this particular color, D12, looks amazing over a nude lipstick.

2) Sephora sun disk in 'aruba' I don't wear bronzer too often so when I ran out of the one I was using I didn't want to shell out too much for a new one, this one has great color, is huge, and only $20! (it says $22 on the website though..weird)

3)Laura Mercier TM 'nude' to go-Now that it is getting hot out and my skin is clearing up I just wanted something nice and light. I used this a long time ago and decided to try it again...it's worthy of the raves. It creates such a smooth silky look, that looks just like skin. Even though I break out fairly easily I like the regular a lot more than the oil-free.

4)Urban Decay 24/7 concealer in 'DEA'- So back in the day I used to love MAC's concealer pencil which was discontinued some time ago, I actually haven't used concealer since then (maybe 4 years ago?) Recently though, with the use of Laura Mercier's tinted moisturizer you could still see some older acne scars and layering powder over the tm was just taking away the amazing glow it gave me. I remember hearing really good reviews about this UD pencil and it really is amazing! It's so creamy and once you rub it in it really stays.

Did you all get anything?? The online code is BICHIC ;)

Much needed Haul! :)

2011-04-08T22:40:00.000-06:00

Hey dolls!

So it's been forevvverrr since I've bought myself some beauty treats, needless to say, it was very much needed! I originally just went to Sephora to return a foundation (Korres mineral foundation made my skin go nutso, although it had a gorgeous finish) but we all know how that goes ;) I purchased DDF's benzoyl peroxide gel to undo some damage, but I ended up with:

1)Philosphy 'Peaches with Cream' 3 in 1 wash- Yummy!!

2)Makeup Forever Lab shine gloss in S24- These are so pretty, and the consistency is perfect!

3)Perfect formula 'pink gel coat'-this is supposed to help fortify nails, but I got it in the hopes it'll be that perfect manicure pink.

4)Bare Escentuals 'Purifying cleanser'- I really love this cleanser, it's the closest I've come to my beloved Fresh Soy Face cleanser, but at half the price!

I then wandered into trade secret because they were having a huge sale, but ended up getting 'It's a 10 miracle leave-in' which I've wanted to try for ages...this stuff really is amazing, it's definitely the *best* detangler I've ever tried!

I will do a review on my favorites shortly...what have you purchased lately???

Review: MAC Prep+Prime Skin Brightening Serum

2011-03-21T16:19:00.000-06:00

I originally have no idea why I desired to try this. It's both a serum and a primer which both scare the heck out of my sensitive acne-prone skin. However, the glowing reviews and the fact that it claims to brighten definitely persuaded me to try it out. Being $40, I wanted to try a sample first because I hate returning products and very rarely do. I have now been using it for at least 3 weeks and here are my thoughts:

What I like:
-It has that fresh clean scent that MAC skincare is known for.

-This is silicone-free so no worries of oily feeling skin or breakouts.

-Amazing ingredients for soothing irritated skin.

-This moisturizes a great deal on it's own; perfect to replace your heavy moisturizer in the summer or if you are oily!

-Pump dispenser is sanitary and easy to control.

-A little goes a long way!

-Works great under both my mineral foundations and liquid.

-Has a great tightening effect that isn't too potent, but rather comfortably smooths out your complexion.

-Does NOT break me out! Yay!

What some may not like:
-Because of the watery consistency this primer is not ideal for filling in fine lines/deep wrinkles or large pores. (for this I rec. Clarins' instant smoothing primer)

-Even though this is considered a primer I would not rec. this if you are looking for a product that makes your foundation last all day.

-The price.

-Does not have fading effects that you would get from a fading/bleaching cream, but rather illuminates the skin with its skin boosting ingredients. i.e. (green tea/caffeine/gentian and tuberose extract)

I say give this a try, even though I am not a huge serum or primer person this is an amazing skin 'treat' that I even wear on my no makeup days for the skin benefiting ingredients!

Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab

2011-02-21T20:07:00.001-07:00

Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab or BPAL for short is a unique destination for perfume or more specifically , perfume oils. They introduce all of the senses by offering a fascinating mix of poetry and art when describing their scents. I love that they offer 'Imps ears' which is a term for sample vials if you would like to try a few before you purchase a larger size.

They offer a lot of really fun Limited Edition Items around the holidays and also once a month called 'Lunacy' blends for the new moon. They also offer LE scents based on historic figures, pop culture etc.

Normally I only buy from their limited edition Halloween collections each month as I love Halloween and candy..and they normally have really fun sugary /spooky themed scents.

I recently purchased a few 'imp's ears' that I LOVE! (all of them are sweet/foodie scents that I purchased on ebay as most were LE)

Lamb's-wool: A popular holy day beverage in 18th century Ireland: roasted apples mashed into warmed milk and ale, with nutmeg, sugar, ginger, and clove.
Eggnog 2010: This smells exactly like eggnog, yum!
Aremata Popoa: Blackberry brandy, castillo rum, ouzo, and iced black tea.
Mr fezziwig's ball: Mince Pie, Dark Beer, a well-loved spruce wood fiddle and resin.
Blue Pumkin Floss: Puffy clouds of pumpkin candyfloss with a trickle of blackberry juice.
Großvater Tanz: The evening winds down with a traditional German folk song: rice porridge, candied fruits, heavy cream, powdered clove, and Lebkuchen.
Lamia: Deadly elegance: pale orchid, vanilla amber, black currant, white peach, champaca, coconut, Arabian myrrh, Burmese vetiver, and oude.
Autumn Moon of the Mirror Stand: Honey, quince, vanilla, white cognac, Spanish mandarin, and golden tobacco.
Pahoehoe: Grenadine, Banana, and Coconut rum.

These scents can be quite addictive with their questionable notes and fun descriptions, but it's a nice change from ordinary perfumes and a whole lot of fun picking them out!

Enter The Lab

I wear my (p)leather on my sleeve.

2011-02-14T00:36:00.002-07:00

I am loving this trend. It's such a great way to incorporate an edgy piece into your wardrobe without going full on biker babe.

Leandra Medine of http://www.manrepeller.com/ in Kimberly Taylor (left)

Absolutely in love with this trench from topshop!!

Gorgeous tunic from Revolveclothing with PU sleeves.

This girl rocks it. http://dustydress.blogspot.com/

Blog Sale! MAC/OPI/China Glaze

2011-02-05T20:06:00.008-07:00

USA/Canada only please! sorry int. ladies :(
Paypal Only
First come first serve
I will only hold your items for a few hours!
Purchase under $10 Shipping $2
Purchase $10+ shipping is only $1
Purchase $15+ free shipping
Please leave your paypal email so that I can send you a $ request

The $4 items have been used around 10-15x (or are damaged) and the $7 items 4-5x at most

You may purchase the palette with all eyeshadows for $40

Top 'Feline' eye kohl used 4-5x $8/Bottom 'Raven' eye kohl used 1-2x $6SOLD

Studio Finish spf 35 concealer NC 20 used 2-3x $8

Violet trance LE used 2-3x $10/Amber lights used 2-3x $7SOLD/Rated R LE used 4-5x $10

OPI 'Light my Sapphire' used 1x $5/CG 'Shocking Pink' used 1x $3/OPI 'Suzi says Da' used 3x $3/CG 'Watermelon Rind' used 1x $3/OPI 'Done out in deco' used 2x $5/CG 'For Audrey' new $5

Things I have been enjoying lately...1.29.11

2011-01-29T21:53:00.001-07:00

-Small Gorjana astrology necklace

She has beautiful delicate pieces!

See her jewelry here

-Make Up For Ever Face and Body foundation

Looks and feels like your own skin!


-Kate Somerville 'Eradikate' This stuff is amazing, it zaps blemishes overnight!

-OPI for Sephora 'Already Famous' nailpolish
Gorgeous pewter/champagne color, truly unique.

What are your current loves?

Xo

Follow my new blog! =)

2011-01-19T00:27:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone! I've decided to make a new blog with all of my vegan recipes with step by step instructions and lots of pretty pictures ;)

This will make it so easy for all of you who have been messaging me about what I eat, the truth is I eat a huge variety of things and I can't wait to share them with all of you!

All the food is going to be fairly healthy (as it's all vegan) and I know all of you omnivores will love it too, promise!! I'll occasionally be posting some workouts as well.

Thank you! =)

The Vegan Blog

Lush review: 'Big Blue' bath bomb

2011-01-15T15:33:00.004-07:00

My own little ocean!

This bath bomb is going to be hard to top for me...it smelled so clean and fresh (lemon and lavender according to Lush) I personally LOVED the seaweed...and look at how beautiful the bath water is!

The first picture is just half of the bomb, but after I saw how pretty the water was I just had to use the whole thing!

I'm a native Floridian so I'm used to seaweed in the water and I loved how much it reminded me of the beach and the ocean...whenever I would go boating I used to lean over and grab a big handful of seaweed, pull it into the boat and shake it over a big bucket of water and out would fall tiny little crabs, seahorses and starfish! I'd let them go of course ;)

The one con would be that this did leave my skin rather parched (kinda like the real ocean does), but that can easily be solved with using a small piece of bath melt.

This bath bomb is definitely a must have on my Lush list!

Lush review: 'Twilight' bath bomb

2011-01-13T19:37:00.003-07:00

(I only used a half as it's huge!)

This is the first bath bomb I tried immediately after I had my little shopping spree! I have to admit the lavender scent was rather subtle, but overall it did a have a very soothing sweet smell that wasn't too overpowering. It turns the bath water a pretty shade of light purple as the inner part is blue (with glitter!)..

My skin felt amazing afterwards, but it could have been the small chunk of 'Mmmm' bath melt I added which made the whole room smell like candy.

Till next time! ;)

Xo

Fashion Spotlight: Wayuu Taya bags

2011-01-05T13:38:00.010-07:00

$120

$120

$120

$132

$132

$132

I am in love with these bags! Even though I tend to have a neutral palette when it comes to my clothes I love the occasional funky accessory.

To my surprise these are actually hand-made by indigenous women of the Wayuu tribe of Northern Colombia and Venezuela and it takes 8 hr days for 20 days!

I love owning unique pieces that are actually made with care and on top of that support an entire community!

What do you all think?

Read more about the Wayuu here

Purchase the bags here and here

Have a fabulous Wednesday!

Xo

First Lush haul =)

2011-01-04T22:53:00.004-07:00

Hey all! I hope everyone had a wonderful New Year! I received a giftcard to Lush as one of my Christmas presents and I was dyyying to use it, but nearly everything online was and still is sold out, so I sucked it up and made the long trek to my nearest Lush store.

I'm really happy I did too because it's nice to be able to actually smell a product instead of relying on reviews.

So far I have been really loving (1)'Angels on bare skin'...I take my makeup off first and scrub with a pinch of it and it leaves my skin very soft and smooth looking/feeling...I love how it smells of oats, rosemary and thyme too..yum!

Here are the other things I picked up:

2) 'Honey I washed the kids' soap

3)'So White' bath bomb

4)'Sultana of Soap'

5)'Godiva' solid shampoo

6)'Geo phyzz' bath bomb

7)'Sex bomb' bath bomb

8)'Mmmm melting marshmallow moment' bath melt

9)'Cinders' bath bomb

10)'Twilight' bath bomb

11) 'Winter bath' bath bomb

12)'Big blue' bath bomb

13)'The comforter' bubble bar

14)'Ma Bar' bubble bar

15)'Mint Julips' lip scrub

16)'Bon Bon' lip scrub

I will review everything as I use it, so stay tuned for that!

Xo

My Spooky Birthday Surprise. 12.22.10

2010-12-24T23:13:00.021-07:00

Hey everyone! I hope you all had a very merry Christmas and a great holiday! My birthday was on the 22nd and my boyfriend wanted to surprise me with something special so he took me to the very gorgeous/very spooky Stanley Hotel!

If you don't know, this is the hotel Stephen King stayed in before he wrote The Shining.

The original elevators still worked.

The beautiful lobby.

How gorgeous is the music room? Look at that view! The piano in the corner supposedly plays itself at night...OoOOooo

The courtyard at night.

Out in the courtyard.

This is the room Stephen King stayed in and experienced supernatural occurrences, hence the look on my face. lol

The top of the stairs...all of the glass on the windows are original which is why they are rippled looking.

A mini Stanley, the tour guide didn't give any back story to this...

ABC re-did the wood and wallpaper to make it look eerie for the newer (Stephen King's version) of The Shining. It was all cream colored before.

My favorite part of the tour (because it was the creepiest) were the underground tunnels. F.O. Stanley was an environmentalist so he didn't use any dynamite to make space for his hotel so he had to build part of the hotel over some natural formations.

Lake trout fish tank.

Matt in front of an authentic Stanley Steamer (yes, that's where that comes from!), the first ones went up to 45 mph.

All in all I had a blast..I'm a huge history nerd and love anything paranormal related so it was a win win. =) If you can get out to Estes Park, Co. to see this hotel I highly recommend it as the area around it is beautiful/recreational as well.

Xo

Katy Perry for OPI

2010-11-28T13:02:00.004-07:00

Don't they look pretty?? They launch January of 2011!

I need the second one from the left...

Xo

New designs!

2010-11-25T22:30:00.008-07:00

All items can be purchased from the Blak Kat website!

Xo

Gold holiday nails!

2010-11-21T09:35:00.005-07:00

Pardon my beat up hands, but I am loving this gorgeous color from Sephora by OPI holiday collection, called 'Looks like rain, dear'...

It's so glittery with bits of multicolor flakes and micro sparkles..perfect for holiday parties!

Xo

Today's Outfit 11.11.10

2010-11-11T20:17:00.008-07:00

It was kind of warm out today (kind of lol) so I decided to wear something a little bit lighter than usual.. these boots are so comfy, I'm going back to get another pair from Steve Madden. I can't wait to break out the big comfy sweaters!

Exciting news! New Jewelry is now up!

2010-11-11T07:57:00.003-07:00

Hey everyone! I mentioned ages ago on twitter that I was going to start working on some new jewelry and I finally have the website up with all the new items, please have a look.

Blak Kat

I also have a facebook for it, if you would like to 'Like' it.

Click Here

p.s. lots more posts to come, I was really busy with this website! =)

Xo

**I know this will bother some people, so for those wondering who the heck Alexandra is, that is my first name, however I do use (one of) my middle names in day to day life. Aleksis! =)

Lanvin for H&M - Fashion Show

2010-11-03T07:28:00.003-06:00

So excited this collaboration will finally be available, Nov. 23rd! I love a couple of the dresses and skirts, but I must have those sunglasses! If anyone knows how us Americans will be able to get our hands on this collection pretty please let me know! ;)

View the pieces and prices here: LanvinNOTflowers

*update: this thursday H&M will be announcing on hm.com/lanvin where this collection will be available. Yay!

Happy Halloween!!

2010-10-31T13:54:00.005-06:00

Sorry I don't have any costume pictures for you all... I didn't dress up this year! I had to work too late last night to worry about changing (booo!) I did however go out with a few friend's to La Sandia, a really pretty mexican restaraunt/rooftop bar, as they were hosting a Halloween bash...however it was SO windy so they had it enclosed and it was completely dead. We just ordered the tableside guac (Yum!) and spicy orange margaritas (Do not rec...yuck)

It was still so early so I called a friend and she was right down the street doing some classic drunk karaoke at TGIFriday's..

An old man dressed as Raggedy Ann doing karaoke...who knew it would be hoppin' at Friday's. lol.

Tonight I might go out depending on the weather...

What are you all doing for Halloween tonight??

Xo

Ins & Outs 10.13.10

2010-10-12T19:08:00.005-06:00

Ins

Changing leaves...sooo gorgeous!

Sweaters and boots :)

Halloween

Pumpkin anything: Candles, cookies, decorations. etc etc

Carrot juice: Sounds strange, but I drink a tall glass for breakfast and it really helps curb my appetite.

Sephora friends and family! It starts Oct. 22nd/ends Nov. 3rd and the code is :FF2010.... Whatchu gonna get?!

Outs

Being sick! I have the worst cold right now and it really makes going to work a drag.

Self tanning; I do not miss the upkeep!

Negative people: Since starting my new job, I am so happy I never have to see my old managers again..

and also..

I finally got my new sinclair jeans that I won from RevolveClothing, and Sinclair also sent me a really soft shirt that says 'Let the hero inside you win the day'

You can see/buy the jeans here

I am wearing both pieces with my new Steve Madden boots that I have been wearing like an insnae person lately..I post more outfits soon!

p.s. So what is everyone getting for the friends and family sale at sephora??

Xo

A little bit of shopping..

2010-10-10T00:43:00.006-06:00

I picked up a pair of boots from Steve Madden as the last pair I had finally fell apart (I'm not much of a boots girl) they are very comfortable and keep my feet warm.

The clothing is all from RevolveClothing.com I was in the mood to buy tunics to go with tights/leggings. The first one is by a company called 'Wish' and the second two are both by Erik Hart (Factory/Morphine Generation).

I STILL need a coat...

Xo

MAC VV + Bare Escentuals Haul

2010-10-02T14:31:00.005-06:00

Here is my Venomous Villains haul that I picked up the other day. I only got 3 things, but in reality I wanted some of the face products, but I have been trying to be better with my spending on makeup as I already have an ungodly amount.

I picked up

-'Mean and Green' nail lacquer: I originally did not want this when I tried it over a little bit of my sheer baby pink manicure because it picked up SO much green so I tried it again with clean nails and voila! A glorious rainbow of pink!

-'Bad Fairy' nail lacquer: I had no idea why everyone was picking this up as it looked like the most boring shade of red, but upon dry down you see the rainbow of green/gold appear!

I originally only wanted 'formidable', but upon application it just didn't wow me and I felt as though I had similar colors.

-'Innocence, beware!' lipstick/cremesheen: A seriously average nude, but I use up my nude lipsticks so I figured why not.

I also picked up from Bare Escentuals

-Foundation in 'light' original version

-Foundation in 'medium beige' original version (I use this when I'm tan)

I accidentally applied my original version that I had put aside in favor of the matte and thought 'hmm this looks really good today' but it just so turns out I had forgotten how much I love the original! As long as I wear my mac concealer (moisturecover) around my eyes I don't get any irritation from this.

-Skin Rev-er Upper: Love this stuff! It prevents me from breaking out/getting clogged pores and makes a great base for when my skin gets a little oily.

Did you get anything from this collection?

Xo

Drugstore F.O.T.D.

2010-09-27T00:13:00.005-06:00

Here is an FOTD I did will all of the products I got from Ulta. You don't need pricey cosmetics to create a great look!

Face:
Revlon Colorstay for oily skin 'Warm Golden' (turned out perfect for my self-tanned skin!)
MAC hand-finish/Dollymix blush

Eyes:
NYX caviar and champagne palette (perfect for neutral looks)
MAC fluidline 'blacktrack'
Revlon grow luscious mascara

Lips:
Revlon colorburst lipstick 'soft nude'

OPI: Light my Sapphire.

2010-09-24T13:07:00.002-06:00

I went into trade secret looking for Essie's fall collection and OPI's suede collection, but to my surprise they had neither! So I picked this little gem out. It's a very unique blue charcoal color. Perfect for fall!

Small Ulta Haul

2010-09-22T19:14:00.003-06:00

I wanted some cheap makeup thrills since it's been awhile that I've purchased any makeup. (Hellooo fall wardrobe!) I headed into Ulta straight to the drugstore brand section and snatched up a few things I've wanted for awhile now.

What I picked up:

1. NYX palette in 'Champagne and Caviar' or #3 $9.99- This is just what I've been looking for so that I don't have to take any of my pricier shadows while traveling. I tried it out today and I love it! Amazing quality and only $10.

2. Revlon colorburst lipsitck in 'Soft Nude' $8.99- This is so gorgeous it's like a paler 'shygirl' (MAC), but I like the forumla a bit better as it's more lightweight and the packaging is adorable!

3. Queen Helene mint julep mask $3.99- I have wanted to try this for years... I don't know why it ook me so long to pick it up, but people rave about it. It's supposed to help with tightening and clearing pores as well as drying up blemishes.

5. Revlon colorstay foundation for Combination/oily skin 'warm golden' $11.99- Recently I started wearing this foundation again and I really do love it. Most full coverage foundations break me out/clog my pores and can look cakey, but this one doesn't. Right now I wear 'buff' but I needed a darker one for my self-tanning phases..hopefully this color works out!

6. NYX jumbo lip pencil in 'pink nude' $4.19- Wow, this is such a great product! It's silky and smooth, lasts long and is a beautiful color. I'll definitely be going back to pick up more of these!

Have you had any cheap thrills lately??

Xo

Fall fixation: Skinny Cargo Pants 9.13.10

2010-09-13T16:43:00.008-06:00

Celebrities have been spotted everywhere in cargo pants, more specifically J Brand Houlihan skinny cargo pants $230. I love this look because it's so versatile..and while it's not fall yet I think these are going to stick it out through the colder months.

I found mine at express for $60 and I love them! They are a nylon/spandex material vs. your typical cargo cotton material so they fit more like jeggings. They come in camel and black as well if not your not lovin the army green.

The shoes are my aldo clogs (So comfy!) paired with a plain charcoal v-neck tee. I originally had on a red flannel, but it got way too hot... :/

The Berry that is Black

2010-09-10T23:45:00.002-06:00

I finally treated myself to a smartphone! I will be taking a lot more on the go pictures as I always feel super tourist-y when I whip out my camera to snap a picture. Oh and no more getting lost on the way to...well anywhere. lol

Vegan Pecan Pie

2010-09-07T17:08:00.010-06:00

There's something about there being a little nip in the air that makes me want to start baking. I love opening the windows and letting the cool breeze in while the hot oven is going.

I was craving a pecan pie like crazy the other day, but I had to make my own as they contain butter and eggs. Here is my vegan version!

What you will need:
-Egg replacer (If you cannot find this, try one of these fixes!)
-Pure vanilla extract
-Salt
-Cane light brown sugar
-Light corn syrup
-Margarine (dairy free)
-Pie crust (the one I found above is dairy free and the best one I've ever had!
-and of course...Pecans!

Everything you need!

Don't forget the pie crust.. this one was better than homemade!!

Add 5 tbsps margarine, 1 cup packed brown sugar, 3/4 cup corn syrup and 1/2 fine salt

Let it simmer for about 2 minutes

While the mixture is cooking toast your pecans, don't leave them in there for too long they burn easily!

Start to make your 'eggs'..I use around 4 'eggs'..it's 1 tbsp of mixture to 3 tbsp of water, I use a little less water than that.

The next step is removing the mixture from heat and adding your toasted pecans, egg replacer, and a little bourbon is nice too if you have any on hand. Pour the mixture into your pie crust and bake at 400 degrees for around 13 minutes.

That's it! Let me tell you this pie was amazing I made two of them and my boyfriend and I ate them in about 2 days!

*P.s. if your pie doesn't come out firm enough it makes an amazing ice cream topping!

Xo

Saturday f.o.t.n.

2010-09-05T19:01:00.004-06:00

My Boyfriend and I went out to dinner downtown Saturday night and here is the makeup I did! I had to wear the makeup all day as I had to leave as soon as I got off of work so my complexion looks a bit shiny but everything else held up really well..partly due to my sephora brand eyeliner sealant..love that stuff!

Face:
Clinique acne solutions foundation #4
MAC blush 'hand-finish'

Eyes:
MAC e/s in
Carbon
Violet trance
white part from 'assemblage' quad (looks like crystal avalanche)
Prestige waterproof pencil liner in black
Revlon 'grow luscious' mascara

Lips:
A little bit of worn off 'viva glam gaga' lipglass... I LOVE this! I wasn't too keen on the lipstick, but this is amazing.

I hope you all had a fabulous labor day weekend!! Do anything fun? =)

Xo

Fall fixation: Clogs 9.3.10

2010-09-03T23:16:00.004-06:00

I've been all over this clog trend for awhile now, but never planned on purchasing a pair until the cooler months rolled around. Something screams 'fall' about a nice comfy, warm pair of clogs. I put together a series of six gorgeous pairs and also the pair I purchased.

1. Marni $825 net-a-porter.com
2. Jeffrey Campbell 'Charli' $132 asos/nastygal etc.
3. Diane von Furstenberg 'ode' $295 nordstrom.com
4. Emerson $295 saksfifthavenue.com
5. Steve Madden 'carnee' $83 amazon.com/ebay *great Jeffrey Campbell look alikes!
6. Elizabeth and James 'greta' $218 zappos.com

I purchased this version from Aldo, for $80! They are so comfortable and have a killer heel ;)

Xo

New Hair and FOTD 8.12.10

2010-08-12T16:27:00.009-06:00

Very simple FOTD using 'Love Lace' eyeshadow.

Eyes:
'Carbon' e/s smudged on upper and lower lash line
Prestige eyeliner on waterline
Bare Escentuals 'Buxom' mascara
'Love Lace' eyeshadow on lid and blended into crease
'Vanilla' pigment as highlight
MAC moisturecover concealer (mix of nw20 and nw15)

Face:
Clinique Acne Solutions shade 2
MAC 'Pink Swoon' blush
'Vanilla' pigment on cheek bones

Lips:
MAC 'hue' lipstick

Brows:
MAC 'Lingering' pencil

CCO and SkincareRX.com Haul =)

2010-08-12T01:26:00.007-06:00

I scored at the CCO the other day big time! Don't you love it when they have great stock? It's a long drive for me so it's always nice when the trip is well worth it. I snatched up a couple of things for friends and a couple of things for myself.

What I got:

1. X ROCKS blush from the Neo Sci-Fi collection: This is a really pretty plum color with a gorgeous shimmer.

2. Vanilla pigment: It's in the old packaging..YAY! I love this for everything it is such a gorgeous highlighter!
3. 'Under your spell' mineralize eyeshadow- picked this up for a friend, she always complemented me when I wore it.

4. 'Hollywood Nights' lipstick- A gorgeous fuchsia color!
5. 'Front lit' lipstick- I wanted this lipstick for a while, but it was too late when I went to go purchase it, I'm glad I found it. It's a really pretty golden-pink champagne color.

6. 'Love Lace' eyeshadow- I am normally not a fan of blue eyeshadow, but this one has a gorgeous grey tone to it.

From skincareRX.com

I got:

More of my beloved cosmedicine honest face TM (review coming soon!)
A Dermalogica kit with the most amazing exfoliator ever 'daily microfoliant' and a couple of free samples
Voluspa room spray in 'crisp champagne': this is just okay, it has an artificial smell about it.

Stay Gorgeous! xo

Homemade Vegan Pizza!

2010-08-04T16:06:00.010-06:00

Pizza is fun and easy (cheap too!), so I thought I'd share this amazing version that is very healthy and completely vegan.

Here is the recipe for the dough

For the toppings I used Vegan mozzarella, black olives, pineapple, and marinated artichokes.

*If you end up using a vegan cheese I recommend making it a day in advance as it tastes much better reheated!

Recent beauty buys

2010-07-31T12:34:00.003-06:00

Hello my pretties! I thought I would post the makeup related things I have bought within the past 2 days. They look quite boring, but they are fabulous purchases!

1. Cosmedicine 'honest face' skin tint and treatment spf20 (shade light)- I used this a few times about 3 years ago when my skin was behaving horribly and Bare Minerals was just kind of a pain to put on.(remember my skin is acne prone and dry) The lady I worked with recommended this and I loved it. I'm not sure what made me stop using it, but it's the best tinted moisturizer I've ever used. (I will do a full review shortly, promise!)

2. Orlando Pita 'Dry conditioner' and 'Elevate' heat seeking volumizer- I snatched these up at TJ maxx along with the tinted moisturizer for a steal! The dry conditioner is for dry hair vs. soaking up oil on oily hair. It's also great just to freshen up the scent of your hair. The elevate spray says something about giving your hair volume when you flat iron it, which is definitely what I need.

3. MAC moisturecover concealer in NW20- I still love this concealer, so this was just a replenishment. =)

4. MAC 130 brush- I originally planned on getting the 188 brush (small skunk) to apply my new TM, but my friend insisted I get this. All the MAC artists love this brush. I will review this along with the TM.

Any new beauty purchases??

Have a wonderful Saturday!

Xo

Apothica.com New Sponsor + Giveaway!

2010-07-29T17:20:00.011-06:00

If you haven't noticed the Apothica link in the side bar click on it to check out that website. They have a lot of great cosmetics brands and are owned by SkincareRX which also has some amazing skincare products.

They have great customer service and free shipping over $49. They are such a fantastic company!

They have some of my favorite brands including:
Dermalogica
Voluspa (amazing candles/fragrances and they carry all of them!)
Bare Escentuals
REN
Cosmedicine

Being my new sponsor they would like to host a giveaway for all of my readers for a $25 gift certificate! You will definitely be able to find something you need..er...want!

How do I enter?

Entering is simple and the more points you get the better your chances!

1. Earn 1 point for leaving a comment on this post
2. Earn 1 point for following SkincareRX on Twitter.
3. Earn 3 points for retweeting their tweet about my giveaway or becoming a fan of theirs on facebook.
4. Finally, earn 5 points for doing a blog post about this giveaway. Notice: it must be at least a 100 word post linking to this post and also this page http://makeup.apothica.com/

Okay so you have the potential to earn 10 points (10 entries). Of course you do not have to do them all, but it gives you more chances to win.

The contest will last 2 weeks, so you have plenty of time to enter!
*Ends August 12th*

**Please remember to leave me your twitter name/facebook name/Blog post link and email if you enter for all the points so that I can validate them.**

Xo

5 reasons to wash your face at night

2010-07-23T12:33:00.002-06:00

I loved these skincare tips, so I thought I'd share them with you all!

Skincare Tips from Renée Rouleau: 5 Reasons to Wash Your Face at Night

What’s the #1 reason someone will go to sleep without washing their face? Exhaustion. I certainly understand the discipline and effort it requires to perform your nighttime Skin Care routine, especially when you’re exhausted. But, you really must do it.

Here are five reasons why:

1. Touching your face all day long, without intentionally doing so, is making your face one of the dirtiest parts on your body. It’s important to clean the skin to avoid the spread of acne bacteria that can cause increased blemishes.

2. Cleansing your skin at night will reduce oil and the ability for acne-causing bacteria to thrive inside the pores. This means less break outs!

3. Your skin repairs itself at night, so removing makeup gives your skin a clean palette for applying your night time performance products for maximum absorption.

4. While you sleep, your skin is at rest allowing regeneration to occur. For the best anti-aging results, clean your skin with a gentle sulfate-free cleanser like Luxe Mint Cleansing Gel or AHA/BHA Cleansing Gel and use a high performance serum and moisturizer.

5. Moisturizers evaporate when on the skin all day, so washing your skin and applying moisturizer at night ensures it will stay moist and hydrated.

Skin Tip: Too tired to wash your skin at night? Perform your nighttime skin routine at 7:00 or 8:00. Earlier is better than never!

Voila! The skin is calm, healthy and refreshed!

Courtesy of Temptalia

Weekend events. 7.16.10-7.18.10

2010-07-19T19:55:00.021-06:00

Friday was the apocalyptic ball. A friend of mine also does drag and he set up a fund raiser for the AIDS walk we have here. It was a blast, we had a V.I.P. table next to the stage and a big ol bottle of Absolut. ;)

My friend/Co-worker Ginger

Our hosts. They were too funny.

Look at the hosts' bedazzled pitcher of beer lol

Ginger performing a little Telephone.

All the people I work with.

She was right above our table!

Sunday we practiced our shooting and saw Inception.

I've accepted the fact that I do not have the same taste in movies as the general public. I hated this movie, people were raving about it and I literally could have walked out.

It was too long, there was too much action and not enough explanation(one of those too many plotholes/open ended movies..bleh). I just found myself not caring half way in..lol.

It was very 'Shutter island' meets 'Dark knight's action scenes' (I liked D.K. a little better than S.I.)... I know a lot of people liked it, so I do recommend seeing it. If you get a headache though... don't say I didn't warn ya lol ;)

p.s. How was your weekend??

Xo