Detox H2O

Great for general detox and clear skin!

Mine is currently steeping in the fridge, cannot wait to have a glass tomorrow!

What you need:

1 lemon (sliced)

1 medium cucumber (sliced)

10-15 mint leaves

2 L water

Just fill a pitcher up with 2 liters of water, toss in your sliced lemon, cucumber, and mint leaves.

Let it steep overnight.

Drink daily!

 

Fashion

Went into Antropologie the other day.  I die.  I love so much stuff in that store and can't afford half of it.The good news is, I can take pictures of things that I love and be on the lookout at more affordable stores. I usually will buy one of the items (probably the beaded pouch) and then search for the other items that are in my inspiration collage.  (Forever 21, TJMaxx, thrift stores, etc.)

Here are a few things that I need in my closet for Spring 2014.

Anthropologie:  NFS Edith Chinos $172.   Ash Buttondown $88.  Cameo Long-Line Bra $34.  Blueprint Beaded Pouch $68.   Could not find the exact bracelet on the website, but once you browse Women's Jewelry, you are for sure to find a bracelet or any other accessories that match your personal style.

This comfortable (yet stylish) outfit is perfect. I like to start buying for Spring because it really gives me something to look forward to when the warm weather creeps up on us. I am already thinking pastel accessories, light lipstick, denim, and dark colored basics.

On the Menu..

Banana, Oatmeal and Chocolate "Cookies"

These are fairly healthy and they satisfy my sweet tooth!

All you need is 1 ripe banana, a bunch of rolled oats, and some semi-sweet chocolate chips.

Easy enough.

Preheat oven to 370.

Just mash your ripe banana in a bowl with a fork.

Mix in some oats.  I just eyed about how much I needed, a little at a time.  Just try to get to a cookie consistency.

Mix in some chocolate chips. However many you want really.

You can add nuts or dried cranberries for variety.

Spoon and drop mixture onto greased pan for about 10 minutes.

So good and guilt-free.

On the Menu...

Shrimp and Veggie Pasta.

This is so simple, so cheap, and quick.

What you need:

1. Shrimp. I usually get the frozen bag of shrimp because they are already shelled, deveined, and the tails are off. You can get whatever size you want, but I usually get medium size shrimp. If you opt to get shrimp for the seafood department, this will not be a quick dinner. Shelling and deveining usually takes forever.
2. 2 boxes of Pasta Roni, Angel Hair Pasta with Herbs. These are the best and they are only $1 a piece.  You can do one box if you want, but I wanted some leftovers (make sure you have milk and butter to make the pasta).
3. 2-3 pieces of squash.  
4. 1 lb. uncooked green beans.

Instructions:

1. First, you will pre-heat your oven if you are making bread.  I picked up a loaf of pre-sliced Artisan Bread and drizzled it with EVOO and placed it on a cookie sheet and set it to the side.
2. Begin boiling your milk, water and butter for your Pasta Roni.
3. Rinse you squash and green beans.  Slice your squash and cut the ends off your green beans. Set aside.
4.  Set shrimp in colander in sink and run cold water over it for about 5 minutes.  This will thaw your frozen shrimp. Do not rinse it with hot water.
5. Drizzle about 1-2 teaspoons of EVOO in a pan and let it get hot. Slowly add your squash and green beans.  Stir frequently.  Add 2-3 tablespoons of water to the pan and cover with a lid.  Stir frequently.  I let the veggies cook for about 10 minutes or less.
6. While your veggies are cooking, put your bread in the oven to cook. (8-10 minutes) and add your pasta and season mix to your boiling milk, water and butter. Stir occasionally and follow instructions on back of box.
7. Warm some EVOO in small saute pan or skillet and toss in your shrimp. Arrange them in a single layer, making sure they don't overlap. Cook shrimp 2-3 minutes on each side.  The shrimp are finished when they turn bright pink and the flesh is opaque white.
8. Once your shrimp is cooked, add it to your finished Pasta Roni and stir.  You can add your vegetables to your shrimp pasta or just put it on your plate seperately. If you decide to add the veggies directly to pasta, make sure you drain it. 

Dinner is served.  I know it seems like a lot of instruction, but it's all about multi-tasking. This dinner only took 10 minutes to cook. 

Feel free to comment for any questions!

Obsessions

So, I got a gift card to Macy's for Christmas and it seriously stressed me out. That is too many options and it is very hard for me to narrow things down in a department store that has everything. After three different visits, I had to start eliminating. I had already gotten new shoes, clothes, make-up, sunglasses and a handbag for Christmas. So now what? Well I realized that I have so many fashion pieces and I have hardly any cute work out/casual pieces,so I stumbled upon the Nike section (which is super small btw) and found a really cool sweatshirt and some classic black leggings with a matte gold metallic Nike check on the back of the lower leg. I really like the retro look Nike is going for right now. Anyways, here's a small collage of some pieces that I really like.  You can get all of this at nike.com

Beauty

                    

I have been blessed with clear, non-problematic, normal skin  but that does not mean I slack on taking care of it.  I am lucky enough to have had a cosmetologist for a Mom my entire life, so I knew the importance of taking care of my skin since I can remember.   I probably have never ever gone to bed without taking off my eye make-up or washing my face. So, no matter how tired you are, get your butt up and take care of your face. You have to look at it every day!

1. First things first, make sure take off your eye make up.  Face wash by itself is not going to do the job.  I use Chanel Demaquillant Yeux Intense.  Yes, its $34.00 but it works great and doesn't leave a greasy aftermath.  Another really good eye make-up remover is Lancome Bi-Facil  for $28 or for a more affordable, non-oily remover try Neutrogena. It's only around $7.00 and you can get it at any local drug store. Tip: Use a cotton ball or a cotton pad to remove your eye make-up.  You don't put as much on it and it helps conserve your remover! 
2. Face wash.  I try all kinds of different face wash.  If you already have one that works for you, stick to it.  Like I said, I don't have too many problems with my skin, so I can switch up.  Right now, I am using Lush Dark Angels and I love it.  I have used it in the past and I felt like it really refreshed my skin.  It is made with black sugar and charcoal and it exfoliates and brightens your skin and leaves a matte finish.  Click the link and read up on it.  They tell you to use it in the shower, because, yes, it gets quite messy.  Another face wash that I really like is Fresh Soy Face Cleanser that you can get from Sephora for $38. It's pricey, but it makes my face feel super soft.  This cleanser is also ideal for all skin types.  An inexpensive cleanser that I use on occasion that works really well is Neutrogena Pink Grapefruit oil-free face wash for $9 or the Target brand that replicates it works just as good. 
3. Okay, moving on to moisturizer.  I hate to keep recommending expensive Chanel stuff, but the stuff is seriously the best product you can use. Hydra Beauty Creme is like the softest and best-smelling moisturizer I have ever used.  It is not greasy and quenches my skin. It better for $87. Stop at a Chanel counter and ask about the different moisturizers and tell them your skin type and they can match you up with one and give you a sample to try before you buy. If you are in the Nashville area, my Mom manages the counter in Cool Springs mall. She will hook you up! Another moisturizer that I love is Pond's Clarant B3.  I always grab the travel size at Target for like $2.  It works really well and smells great. 
4. Occasionally I will get a zit. I want to hide out in my room until its gone, but sometimes life doesn't allow me to do that.  I usually try to do natural remedies, but I have 2 products that I swear by. Clean & Clear Persa-Gel 10 is the business.  I just dab it on with a Q-tip, let it dry and go to bed. Another product that works wonders is Boscia Willow Bark Spot Treatment. This product is perfect for anyone with sensitive skin. It's really calming and really purifies the skin. You can get it at Sephora (I think they have pens now) for only $15.  When I have a blemish, I'm pretty much up for spending whatever to get rid of it.  Sephora also drams out samples,so if you go in there just tell them you are looking for some acne spot treatments and they will guide you and give you a sample so you can try it before you buy it. Click the link to read up on it.
5. Lip treatments have recently become my thing, especially during this winter weather.  I used to just run my finger under warm water, dip it in some granulated sugar and rub it into my lips,but I have recently discovered some different methods.  I posted a few weeks ago about the e.l.f. Lip Exfoliator that I have been using, but I have also discovered an amazing lip treatment from Mary Kay. Yeah, Mary Kay.  I don't normally sway that way, but this stuff is wonderful.  This Satin Lips Set is amaze and only $18. (or $10 a piece).  First, you put the Lip Mask on and leave it on for 1-2 minutes, wipe it off with a wet cotton pad and then apply the Lip Satin. O-M-G, the BEST stuff for real.
6. So, if your gonna have an amazing face and soft lips, your hands have to be pretty amazing, too. Right? I am not trying to hold my boyfriend's hand or shake someone's hand with some roughness.  This Mary Kay Peach Satin Hands set is great.  I only have the exfoliater and the hand cream, but I am sure the hand softener really sets it off.  The set is only $34 and worth every penny.  You can also order the Satin Hands kit from my lovely Aunt Sherri.  Click here!!!!

So, this might seem like a lot because it's written out, but it only takes max, 7 minutes.  I think your face, lips, and hands deserve that.  

A few other things that I use/do:

• I apply Vaseline to my eyelashes. Sounds weird, but it really helps them grow and moisturizes them.  I don't goop a ton of them, I just put a little on my fingertips and swipe them on my lashes.
• I  have never gone a day my entire life without putting lotion on.  It is serious that you moisturize your body.  The second I get out of the shower, I am lathering it on and I usually put lotion on before bed. Baby Lotion is the only way to go. It is perfect for anyone with sensitive skin and it's fresh and not over-powering. Throw that Bath & Bodyworks crap away and quit drowning your skin in perfume. It's not even moisturizing your skin, for real, the stuff sucks. There are different scents other than the traditional baby lotion scent if you don't like smelling like a newborn baby (even though I love the original). Right now, I am using the bedtime lotion, smells so good and I swear it helps me sleep better.
• Lancome Renergie Lift Multi-Action Eye is something that I really enjoy using. It lifts and firms and gives your face an overall tightening effect.  Just dab it on your under eye area and on your brow bone.  Use your ring finger, it's the smoothest (since it is least-used) and lightest finger on your hand. I also like to leave my eye cream in the fridge so I get an extra cooling effect when applying.
• Last, but not least, I pour myself an ice cold glass of water.  Water is so important for clear and bright skin.  If your not drinking water, then you can forget everything I just told you.  

Feel free to comment for any questions! xox

On the Menu...

It's so cold outside and nothing sounds better to me than chili, my momma's chili. It is so easy and so good.  Every time I make it for friends, they always compliment and want the recipe and they never believe how easy and simple it is. 

What you need:

• 1 lb. ground beef (the leaner, the better)
• 1 pkg. chili seasoning (I always get the regular chili mix, but if you want you can get medium or mild)
• 1 can tomato sauce (my mom always says to not get the off brand, always go for Hunt's or a more known brand when you buy tomato sauce)
• 1 can Hunt's chili beans in "Mild" sauce
• 1 can Hunt's chili beans in "Med" sauce
• Optional-1 can whole tomatoes (drained)

Directions:

• Brown your ground beef in a large dutch oven
• Drain and return to pan
• Add tomato sauce, then fill can halfway up with water and add to mixture until warm
• Then add remaining ingredients, stir, cover, and simmer for 35-45 minutes.
•  Serve with spaghetti noodles, shredded cheese,sour cream, saltines and tamales for variety.

Another way to make this is to put it in the Crockpot.  I cook the ground beef the same and then just add all the ingredients to the Crockpot. Set it on low heat for 4-6 hours.  (Boil spaghetti noodles separate).

Enjoy!