five beauty products every girl should own.

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We all have our own favorites when it comes to basic beauty products – mascara, lip color, hair care, etc. But then there are ones that I personally never even knew I needed until I actually tried them. It’s those products that once you have them, you know you can never live without. So here are my five beauty products that I think every girl should have.

1. big sexy hair powder play.
I haven’t tried a BSH product that I didn’t love, but Powder Play was the real game-changer for me. It’s a volumizing and texturizing powder that you apply to your roots (when hair is dry) and it instantly gives you that “just-teased” look. It also adds texture so you can kind of tossle your hair however you want and it won’t automatically fall flat.

2. a makeup base.
I’ve always kept things as simple as possible when it comes to my makeup routine. Up until recently, I didn’t even know what a makeup primer or base was. But once I started using a makeup base, I really noticed how much longer my makeup stayed on and continued looking fresh – Iike I had just applied it. I’ve been using Loreal Studio Secrets Magic Perfecting Base (but am open to suggestions if you have one you swear by!).

3. ped egg.
Whether you need a pick-me-up in between pedicures or just don’t like getting pedis all together, Ped Egg is the perfect way to get those baby soft feet in just a few minutes. One side of it scrapes off dead skin and the other side buffs it (sounds hot doesn’t it?). I mean, let’s be real, no matter how much you might walk in a day, there’s no excuse for having callused alligator feet.

4. a rollerball fragrance.
Since I was 13 and still to today, Armani Emporio is my fragrance of choice. But, as of last month, I welcomed a new scent into my life in the form of a rollerball. Carrying around a rollerball fragrance comes in handy for those long days where your regular perfume may have worn off. Just a small roll on your neck and wrist can help freshen up for the evening/night ahead, and it can easily be thrown in your purse. I’ve been using Boyfriend by Kate Walsh, and you can find a large selection at Sephora.

5. jergens natural glow.
I’ve sworn by this product for 5(+) years now. While St. Tropez is more effective as a sunless tanner, Jergens is much more natural, gradual, and actually moisturizes your skin. So even if you’re not going for the “hey everyone I have a tan!” look, Jergens will give you a subtle glow that I think looks good on everyone. I use Jergens after every other shower (alternating regular lotion the other times), and it helps my skin maintain a naturally-sunned shade.

What are your must-have beauty products? Have you tried any of these?

cost approach, 6.

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Two eggs gone to waste: about 60 cents.

A photo to prove just how ridiculously clumsy I am: priceless.

Water taxi to Ikea in Brooklyn: free on the weekends.

The gorgeous views from the East River: priceless.

A visit to a west-side pier as the sun sets: a few blocks of walking.

Recapping April and praying into May with my best friend: priceless.

One highlighting kit: $16.99.

The night we randomly decided to highlight our own hair for the first time in years: priceless.

Realizing our hair didn’t turn out as we had hoped: some ranting and venting about how the box lied.

Eating peanut butter sundaes to make us feel better about the mishap: priceless.

Have you ever tried highlighting your own hair? How’d it go?
…and any fellow-clumsies out there? 😕

recipe re-post: coconut banana chocolate chip cookies.

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Nine times out of ten, I’m that person that doesn’t believe the words “healthy” and “cookie” should even belong in the same sentence.

…but this is that tenth time.

yields 12-14 cookies

dry ingredients:

  • 3/4 cup coconut flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

wet ingredients:

  • 1 banana, mashed
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1/2 tablespoon coconut oil (canola oil would work too)
  • 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup milk (I used unsweetened almond milk)

mix-ins:

  • 3 tablespoons dark chocolate chips
  • other options: nuts or dried fruit

directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Combine dry ingredients in a bowl.
  3. Combine wet ingredients **except for the milk** in a separate bowl.
  4. Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and combine.
  5. Add milk and combine 1/4 cup at a time, then add chocolate chips.
  6. Form cookies (about 1-2 tablespoons of dough) and place on greased baking sheet.
  7. Bake for about 23 minutes until edges begin to turn golden brown.
  8. Immediately transfer to cooling rack, and allow cookies to cool for at least 5 minutes.

I don’t bake healthy treats nearly as much as I used to, but this recipe reminded me that healthy and delicious cookies do actually exist. These are particularly cookie dough-like in consistency and, well…who doesn’t love cookie dough?

What are your thoughts on “healthy” cookies/desserts? Have a favorite recipe to share?

april favorites.

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Oh 2012, you’ve been quite the quick one. The first four months of the year came and went like that, but this first full month of spring was arguably the best yet. Before welcoming in May, here’s a look back at some of my favorite things about the month of April 2012.

brooklyn.
Although I’ve made it over to Brooklyn a handful of times, this was the month that I truly started appreciating all things BK. From the vintage shops to Smorgasburg to the cute guys with beanies and glasses around every corner, I think I’m going to try to make it over there more often. Now I just need to learn how to do so without getting lost or taking the wrong train back, ahem…

mad men.
Mad Men is one of those shows that doesn’t need a crazy plot or storyline to get into it. To me, it’s all about the fascination with the characters and raw, realistic look at that era (I mean, not that I was there to actually know…). I’m still on season one but can’t wait to be all the way caught up.

cake batter fudge.
How can something be so simple yet so delicious? With just five ingredients and no cooking/baking, Cake Batter Fudge is definitely my new go-to crowd-pleasing treat.

white-washed denim.
Vests, shorts, jeans, rompers…I want it all.

the girl with the dragon tattoo.
…more specifically, the chemistry between Daniel Craig and Rooney Mara. I just can’t get over how perfect and intriguing it was, and it’s the reason I’m starting the rest of the novel series soon.

draw something.
To be honest, there’s always been something about cell phone games that give me anxiety. Maybe it’s because I don’t like competition? Or view it as too much of a commitment? Whatever it may be, a little game called Draw Something has changed all of that. It’s the perfect, I’ll-get-to-it-when-I’m-bored game that can also be quite humorous.

st tropez sunless tanner.
With summer around the corner, my pale/freckly skin needs a bit of an upgrade. St. Tropez has been my favorite sunless tanner for a few years now because it’s hands down the most natural looking and barely ever leaves streaks. I like the mousse best, which you can buy online or find at most Sephora stores.

necessary clothing.
On that same summer-around-the-corner note, I’ve noticed myself needing to re-stock on certain clothes like shorts, tanks, and light dresses. Necessary is my favorite place to shop for these pieces because a) I don’t have to spend and arm and a leg and b) the quality is a lot better than other stores with the same price range. There are locations all across New York, or you can check out their new online store.

What were some of your favorite things about April? Agree with any of these?

six: do what you love.

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6. If happiness was the national currency, what kind of work would make you rich?

“Do what you love, do it in the most adventurous place, and make sure it helps other people.”

Well, that’s a simple one. The answer is FreelyBe, which is quickly coming to fruition. Not only is FreelyBe what I want to do professionally and also going to help people around the world, but I know it’s exactly what God has called me to do. So to me, it’s sort of a no-brainer that that will yield the most joy in my life. The fact that it will also allow me to work side by side with my best friend in my favorite place in the world is the icing on the cake. I am blessed!

…and I mean, if I had to pick a second choice, it wouldn’t hurt to have “job” of traveling around the world reviewing resorts and restaurants. I’m just saying.

Side note – stay tuned for the re-launch of the FreelyBe website and our overall business model, coming in June or July. I can’t wait to share with you all what we’ve had in the works over the past 5 months!

Your turn – what kind of work/career would bring you the most happiness?