Put Your Best Face Forward

Over the years, I have learned to fine-tune my makeup routine.  I am not an early riser, so my routine can't include too much - it's got to be simple and sweet.  I am always interested to see what other girls consider to be their makeup essentials so I thought I would share my perfect "face base" with you. Once I have this base on, it only takes me about two minutes finish up with some light shadow, mascara, blush and a swipe of gloss.

Here are my "face base" essentials:

1.L'Occitane Shea Butter:  I spotted this is my moms makeup drawer a couple of years ago.  She had seen an article where they talked about using this as a base for Rachel McAdams lipstick in a photo shoot.  She loved in so much that she bought two and I followed suit and got one myself.  This tin has lasted ages and is so smoothing. It is the perfect base for lipstick or gloss.  I think this has been discontinued but they have some other options on their website

2.Laura Mercier Foundation Primer in Radiance:  I actually bought this when it first came out in lieu of my usual Laura Mercier Oil Free Foundation Primer.  I worried that it might make my face too oily since it is not an oil-free formula, but it doesn't and I love it.  This is the third tube that I have purchased.

3.Laura Mercier Oil Free Tinted Moisturizer in Nude:  Laura Mercer's Tinted Moisturizers are very popular and understandably so.  They give amazing coverage without feeling heavy.  I prefer a lighter feel to my makeup and this goes on so well and never feels like I even have anything on.  I have gone down the BB cream road, but have always come back to this tinted moisturizer.

4.Urban Decay Good Karma Optical Burring Brush:  I have always used sponges to apply my tinted moisturizer but was so intrigued with this brush during my last trip to Ulta.  When I first started using this brush I thought it was making my skin look greasy but after giving my makeup sometime to set, I was super happy with the results.  This brush gives a super flawless and airbrushed look and I'm a big fan.

5.Anna Sui Eye Brightener:  My mom and I discovered this eye brightener while we were shopping at the Anna Sui store in New York.  Anna Sui cosmetics are so fun and beautiful and they also all smell like roses.  I have never met an Anna Sui cosmetic that I didn't like.  We both agree this is the best eye shadow base, it’s got a beautiful sheen and it smells like roses.  Her store in Soho is always a must when we are visiting NYC.

6.Bobbi Brown Tinted Eye Brightener in Light Bisque:  Love this.  I also discovered this is my mom’s makeup drawer and went out to buy my own tube almost immediately.  It covers up and brightens my under eye area and I really notice the difference.  You know when people tell you that you look tired and you're not? This will fix that.

Lavender Honey Cupcakes

My love for baking comes from my mom.  She is undoubtedly the best baker I know.  I raved to her about these lavender honey cupcakes that I made a few weeks back when I hosted book club.  While she was here visiting this past week, we decided we would make them together as a treat.  We had a great time and the cupcakes turned out wonderfully.  The recipe that I found is from Better Homes & Gardens, you can find it here.

I love to bake with my mom.
Do you find it fun to bake/cook with others or do you prefer to work in the kitchen alone?

xo Bridget

Paisley Pose

My mom gave me this beautiful paisley top for Christmas.  I have gotten so much wear out of it the past couple of months, but as the season is changing, I wanted to find a way to "spring it up."

I thought these white cords were the perfect way to do that.  I love the way they make the paisley print on the back really pop out.  

Top: Anthropologie (similar) (similar) (similar)

Jeans: Miss Sixty (similar) (similar)

Sandals: Luichiny (similar) (similar) (similar) (similar)

Clutch: L.A.M.B. (love this) 

I surprised myself when I bought these white jeans.  They seem to just scream for me for me to spill something on them or sit in the wrong place - ha!  I couldn't resist these, maybe it's all the funky seams and zippers,  or maybe it's my undying love for Miss Sixty jeans.  I think the U.S. stores are pretty non existent these days, so I always make a point to seek one out when I am in Canada or the UK.

xo Bridget

Cheetah Bomb

I am a self admitted Juicy girl.  Every since I bought my very first Juicy Couture jumpsuit, I have been hooked.  There is something about the fun in their clothing that I just cannot resist, not to mention the great quality.  I have never had one piece of Juicy Couture clothing or accessories that I didn't absolutely adore and this bomber jacket is no exception.

I know this jacket seems like it would be a bit heavy for the Spring, but because of the light lining and the 3/4 length sleeves, it's actually pretty perfect.  I throw this jacket on over pretty much anything in the Fall and Spring.  It is a great season transition piece and the faux fur is so cuddly!

Headband: Cara (similar) (similar)

Jacket: Juicy Couture (different, but love this) (similar) (similar)

Shirt: Wildfox Couture (similar) (similar)

Jeans: Juicy Couture (similar)

Sandals: Dolce Vita (similar)

Bag: Marc By Marc Jacobs

Stamping and Embossing: Easter Card DIY

This year, I was so inspired by the Easter things I saw at the craft store that I decided to make my own Easter cards.  I love to use stamp embossing on my homemade cards.  It really makes your stamping pop and it looks really nice when you color it in.

Supplies Needed:
1. Cute paper for lining envelopes
2. Stamp Pad
3. Gel Pens
4. Washi Tape for sealing envelopes
5. Embossing Powder
6. Ruler
7. Rubber Stamps
8. Heat gun
9. Blank cards and envelopes
* Not pictured: Scissors, double sided tape and a pencil with an eraser

Step One: Stamp your design on your card.  I think the color box pigment stamp pads work best for embossing, they seem to hold the embossing powder best.

Note: It doesn't matter what color your stamp pad is if you are using opaque embossing powder.  The powder will cover the stamp pad color completely.

Step Two: Work quickly to cover the stamped areas with embossing powder.  You want to make sure the design doesn't have much time to dry or the embossing powder will not stick.

Step Three: Lift card to remove excess powder. Gently tap to remove powder from the areas where there is no design, but be careful not to brush the design.  The embossing powder on the design isn't set until it's heated properly.

Step Four: Return the excess embossing powder to the container, close, and put to the side.  (Embossing powder makes a big mess if it spills.)

Step Five: Turn on your heat gun and hold it about 6 inches away from the design.  You will see the design begin to melt and go glossy.  To heat evenly, I usually move the gun vertically in a small up and down motion.

Step Six: The design will be dry pretty much right away, so now you can get creative with your coloring.  

Not Pictured:  I used the ruler and pencil to draw a line so that I could get write the text on the top of the card in a straight line.  I then lined the envelopes using the cute printed paper and double sided tape.  Lining envelopes is a fun new trick, I will make that a tutorial for another day!

Step Seven: Seal with some pretty washi tape. 

I like to make all my cards just a little bit different.  I really had a lot fun with these and I think they turned out great.


xo Bridget

In My Easter Basket

one . two . three . four . five . six . seven . eight . nine . ten . eleven . twelve . thirteen

Crispy Chickpeas

A couple weeks ago when I hosted book club, one of the ladies who attended brought a bowl of roasted chickpeas.  They were delicious and they made a great addition to the spread that I had put out.  It was such a hectic week, so I threw them into the back of my mind as something to try and make in the future.

One Afternoon this week, I put on the TV for some background noise as I did some things around the house.  The Chew was on ABC, I think it comes on at 1PM.  I couldn't help but notice that one of the chefs was making crispy chickpeas.  I liked the idea of all the spices used in the recipe, so I decided that was the recipe that I would try.

I made the crispy chickpeas last week as a little snack to have while we prepared to BBQ for dinner.  They were perfect for that.  I will say, they do have a bit of a kick.  If this is not something you like, I would half the Cayenne Pepper to 1/4 tsp or even bring it down to 1/8 tsp depending on your spicy snack tolerance.

You can check out the recipe and instructional video for Carla Halls: Crispy Chickpeas HERE.

Step One: Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Drain and rinse two cans of garbanzo beans.

Step Two: Dry the garbanzo beans by gently rolling them between two sheets of paper towel.

Step Three: In a small bowl mix 1 tsp each of Coriander, Cumin, and Turmeric. Add 1/2 tsp Cayenne Pepper or less depending on how spicy you want the chickpeas to be, and mix again.

Step Four: Toss the spice mix with the chickpeas until the chickpeas are covered.  Lightly coat them with oil (I used to truffle oil, because it was a spray and I thought it would be easier).  Spread the chickpeas out in an even layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.  Cook for 30 minutes at 400 degrees (I cooked them in 15 minute intervals so that I could flip them around for even cooking).

Step Five:  In a small bowl, zest one whole lemon.  Add some salt for the lemon to infuse.  The recipe calls for two tablespoons of salt, but for me that is way too much.  I added a 1/2 tsp of salt to the lemon zest and mixed it together with my fingers.  Once the chickpeas were done cooking, I tossed them with the lemon salt in a bowl and let them cool for about 10 minutes.

 

Step Six: Enjoy! (hint: they tasted really nice with a lime beer)

I always appreciate when someone takes the time to make something to bring to my house.  I know not everyone has time to do so and bringing anything at all is always a nice gesture.  This snack was quick and easy to make and would be great if you want to take something homemade to a get together, but are also in a time crunch.

Have you ever been inspired to make something new based on something that someone has brought over to your house?

xo Bridget