{something good} essie nail color & new lip stain!

Well, hello hello. I've been going crazy over here with this nice weather and doing a lot of outdoor playing with the kids. My 3 year old had his last day of preschool today so its officially summer for me! :)

I'm going to share a few favorites I've stumbled upon recently...and I'm sure I'll have more to come. Try them out and let me know if you likey.

So, I'll embarrass myself and say I had my first 'essie-nail-color-using-experience' today. You might be surprised but honestly I'm not the biggest nail polish fanatic. BUT! This might have changed my mind. 

Hello feet. I found this lovely color at WalMart in the clearance section. It seriously took one coat and that surprised me. The formula for this nail polish is insane and I will be lucky if I ever buy anything else...yes, that good. And it is not your typical $2 nail polish...this is the good stuff.

I'm usually one to avoid a blue nail polish like any other 80's child but this color really caught my eye. Its super pretty but fun too. A perfect sky blue.

Next in line...

Revlon's Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain.

I'm going to rave about these til every person goes and buys one. I'm not kidding. These are the BEST and I will own every shade. These are my 2 favorite pinks.

Cherish (left) and the newest addition Sweetheart (right)

Cherish is my all time favorite. Its a bright baby pink, barbie-type color. Its perfect for everyday. And Sweetheart is the second runner up. Its a super super bright, neon type pink...super trendy and way way fun. A must have for the spring!

And I had pictures of myself in these but the hair is out of control today...

These go on and feel like a chap stick, don't bleed, have GREAT color and LAST forever! 

Please buy these. You can thank me later.

Alright, so I have an insane amount of posts I need to get up. Days just keep flying by. I have my race this weekend (holy moly!) so after that I'll try to get up day to day posts! 

Thanks Ladies and have a great Thursday!

PS. Vampire Diaries Season finale tonight...can I get a woop, woop! :)

3 easy steps to the perfect self-tan

Things are starting to heat up around here! I'm so excited for Summer this year! We had a super long, cold winter and its times for some summer fun! We also got a pool pass this year and we are definitely ready to use it! Wahoo!

Well, to get you set up for a nice natural glow this summer (or until you get your tan), I thought I'd share 3 easy steps to get a nice self-tan! Tanning beds are out and the devil if you ask me so let's stay away from those, use some great products to give you a glow and remember to use your SPF daily!!!!! I cannot stress that enough....wear it or pay for it later, ladies!!!

1. Exfoliate.

Make sure to scrub down in the shower or with a dry brush before you apply your tanning product. This will help things look clean and smooth.

2. Moisturize.

Use a light moisturizer before you apply your product. This will help it go on smoother and last longer.

3. Apply your tanning product. 

I really don't have too many favorites of this because a. I tan super easily and am usually good to go after a week or so of sun. b. Its hard to find one that's the right color. c. Its usually the one thing I forget about! But here are a few that I've tried and do really like. 

Side note: Remember that less is more with a tanner! We want a glow here not Dorito girl! Also, make sure you wipe or wash you hands after you apply and follow the application directions EXACTLY as the instructions say on your product.

Jergens Natural Glow---my all time favorite!

(no need to moisture before this one...a 2 in 1!)

The Body Shop's Honey Bronze

Man, this is some good stuff. I wore it daily when I worked there and its legit people.

Sally Hansen's Airbrush Legs

This stuff is insane, just make sure you follow the directions closely.

There we go! Have a fun Wednesday!!

{recipes} homemade enchilada sauce & toffee pretzel bark

Thought I'd share a couple yummy recipes today. Its been a while since I did and I'll be honest and say it's because I haven't been too good at cooking lately. My husband was on nights for 5 weeks so I took a break from making dinner everything night to just grabbing whatever for me and the kids....got me outta the habit fast and it's taken me like a month to come back around...yikes! :)

I know I'm a serious day late on this for Cinco de Mayo but hey...make it anyways. It was soooo good. I'm usually a enchilada sauce in a can kinda girl but NO more! And you can adjust the spicy-ness too.

Homemade Enchilada Sauce

via justjoanna.com

1/4 vegetable oil

2 tablespoons flour

1 can tomato soup

1/4 to 1/2 cup chili powder (depending on how hot you like it...I have kids so I only did 1/8 cup. It was really mild).

2 tablespoon cumin

1 tablespoon garlic powder

1-2 cups water 

1. Add oil and flour to saucepan over medium-low heat.

2. Stir til light brown.

3. Add in tomato soup

4. Add the chili powder, cumin, garlic powder and 1 cup of water to the pan

5. Stir til the sauce starts to thicken. Add in an additional cup of water (or more of less depending on desired thickness). 

6. Let sauce simmer on low for a few minutes, use right away or store in the fridge for later use. 

Moving on to something a little sweet and salty...and crunchy! This was such a pleasant surprise and a Pinterest find, which for me usually ends in a "what the heck is this?". Its a regular now, so easy and super tasty!

Salted Chocolate Toffee Pretzel Bark

via melskitchencafe.com

About 8 oz (half of a 1 pound bag) mini pretzels

1 cup butter

1 cup packed brown sugar

2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

Sea salt

Preheat oven to 375 degrees

1. Lightly crunch up the pretzels into smaller pieces. Place on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper or aluminum foil.

2. Add butter and brown sugar to a saucepan and bring to a light boil on medium heat. Let boil for 3-5 minutes.

3. Immediately pour butter/brown sugar mixture on pretzels and place in oven for 5 minutes.

4. While pretzel/toffee mixture is still super hot, pour on the chocolate chips and let set and melt for a few minutes. 

5. Once chocolate is melted, spread all over pretzels and let set in the fridge for about 30 minutes. 

Break into pieces and enjoy! So yummy!!!

april favorites

I'm always switching things up with my beauty products. I love to try new things and see what brands I like more than others. I thought I would start up a month review of a few of my favorite things from each month.

Starting off...

I was introduced to Loreal's nail polish though a youTube genious. And I've been obsessed. I recently go this color and its fabulous! A grey grape is what I like to call it. Might be more of a fall-type color but I think you could pull if off for Spring.

---

Loreal polish in Effel for You

Maybe I'm just feeling a little purple-ly mauve lately but I got a new shadow from MAC that is almost the exact color as that nail polish! HA! It has quickly become a favorite because its not too dark but really soft and wearable for everyday.

MAC shadow in Quarry.

I know I recently mentioned it but I will again. I'm still in love with the Loreal Infallable eyeshadows. I'm really loving this color. I've done it on almost all my prom clients (its a HOT color this year) and on myself. Its super pretty.



Loreal Infalliable Shadow in Endless Sea

Next up...found my swimsuit. I have one that I LOVE but its time for a new one. My husband asked me if every girl buys a new suit every summer....I haven't bought a new one for 3 years, thank you very much. I don't like to be too matchy-matchy soI have some bright yellow bottoms and even a green pair if I feel so inclined. Might purchase a bright blue or purple. Cute? Anything goes...



Downeast Basic's Ava Takini in Basic Green

I bought some colored bobby pins YEARS ago and they are an all-time favorite...who knew they'd come back around in fashion. The world's easiest accessory!



Kinda some funny pictures of her but this is just how I wear mine when my bangs are bugging me. You can probably find some at WalMart/Target but here's link just in case.

And this is terribly random but I'm in LOVE with Trader Joe's Quinoa & Black Bean chips. I love chips, but I will NOT buy the greasy kind so these help when the munchies hit.
YUM!


Its almost time for a new round of flip flops this year. I'm loving Old Navy's metalic flip flops...so cute and comfortable. If worn the right way these guys can even dress up an outfit...a bit.


Old Navy's Metallic flip flops

And there we can it people! April favorites!

Have a good weekend. I have a busy weekend, so I'll catch ya Sunday...

{something good} suave shampoo & conditioner

I know I've raved about Suave before but I'm serious when I say I'm in love with their stuff. I have curly, dry DRY hair so I'm always looking for something moisturizing and to control frizz...if that's not up your alley...sorry. I'll cover oily hair next time ;). 

I was using an expensive shampoo and conditioner for a long time and I still like it and think it great but having run out one day and decided to use the husbands "cheap stuff", I was amazed out how soft, shiney and smooth my hair was. And although I jump back to the expensive stuff here and there, I'm still in love with my "cheap stuff" and use it regularly.

My all time favorite is the Humectant Moisture. It takes about 3 washes for you to notice the awesome-ness this combo has on your hair and you don't need to use that much either. I love it and hope you do too!

On another note...

I was so happy to get my For Mom's Sake necklace in the mail today. If you haven't visited their site or read about their story...please do. It's awesome and makes you feel proud to be a mama! :)

Signing off,

Laura, M2

(gotta embrace the cheese sometimes...)

5 simple tips to wear makeup like a pro!

It's easier than you think to make your daily makeup look like a professional's. 

Here are 5 simple and easy tips to add to your daily makeup routine to amp up your look.

1. Use a pink brightener to help lessen the appearance of dark circles.

Before you apply your under eye concealer (make sure to use one specifically for under eyes...not just foundation), apply a pink eye brightener. Benefit's Eye Bright is my super, duper most favorite but you can find similar products at the grocery store as well. 

2. Dab a shimmer white/cream shadow on the inner corner of your eye.

After you apply your eye makeup, take that shimmer white or cream shadow and dab it on the inner corner of your eye where your tears come out. This is a GREAT tip to brighten your eyes and make things pop, especially if your having a "tired eyes" day. I use Maybelline's Color Tattoo in Barely Branded.

3. Fill in your brows

This used to one that I skipped but what a difference it makes in your look when you fill in your brows. You don't have to go all crazy and completely draw them in, just keep it easy and just where things look patchy. I have a couple thinner places that I just fill in and rarely do my whole brows. Brows frame your face and when they are trimmed and filled, your eyes pop and face look more put-together. I love Sonia Kashuk gel brow kit found at Target.

4. Add some color

Don't skip your blush or bronzer. During the summer I usually use bronzer as my blush. Adding that extra little bit of color to your cheeks makes a huge difference! You look more awake, healthy and beautiful. Don't skip it...please! Bare Escentual's faux tan is a long time favorite.

5. Use a lipstick vs. a gloss

The super glossy look is out, so is the frosted look. Don't do it anymore. The lipstick, matted look is in. Skip the gloss completely and stick to a lipstick (ha ha ha). If you feel lipstick is a little dry, start off with a chapstick. Revlon's Primrose in a right-now favorite.

Hopefully this will help ya fee a little more pretty! Just take a few extra seconds to add in these steps to your makeup routine for a more professional-looking and polished look! 

And don't forget about the Mother's Day deal at For Mom's Sake (http://www.for-moms-sake.com/)
 These necklaces are so fun! They are offering 75% off to my readers til May 1st.
CODE: GPWLM2.

{something good} Loreal's Infalliable Eyeshadow

I'm a big MAC shadow junkie but I love it when I find something just as good for a cheaper price....and I did. I can't say I'll stop buying MAC shadows and switch over to these but I'm definitely going to be buying more...and more and more. 

Loreal's Infalliable Eyeshadow

The colors are insanely beautiful, the formula is awesome, they last (no creasing) and the pigment is amazing. Next to MAC, I think these are my 2nd favorite shadows of all time. I used Endless Sea and Midnight Blue on myself and a recent client. BEAUTIFUL! 

There you have it! A great product at a great price!

{fashion friday} getting dressed up!

I know its Saturday but this picture was taken yesterday so I think it counts! :) It was the annual dinner for my husband's work and it always so fun to get dressed up. We don't get out too often so we actually really look forward to a night of dinner, yummy dessert, chatting with friends and a little dancing...and by little I mean one song. We had a great time and it was so nice to spend some time together!

Well, here we are. 

Dress: JCPenney

Belt: Target

Shoes: Ross (Jessica Simpson)

I really loved this outfit, it was cute, comfortable and modest. Win, win, win!

And can I just rant about my love/hate relationship with my hair! Its nights like this that I really miss my long hair...I love that its easy to do but hate that its short. Help me! Annnnnnnd...done.

Have a great weekend!