My Favorite Lipsticks

Lipstick is without question my favorite beauty product. It instantly makes me feel more confident and completes my look. I don't discriminate when it comes to shades or brands, and wanted to do a roundup of my all-time favorites. Which one is your fave?

{nude: MAC "kinda sexy"}

{peach: MAC "ravishing"}

{orange: Revlon "siren"}

{light pink: NARS "sex machine"}

{hot pink: NARS "schiap"}

{red: NARS "cruella"}

{wine: Maybelline "burgundy blush"}

The Next Chapter: Merchandise Buying Assistant at Ron Jon Surf Shop

{image via}

Since moving back to Florida a few months ago, I had been searching for the right fit career wise. I'm SO excited to announce that I've accepted a position with the corporate office of Ron Jon Surf Shop as the Merchandise Buying Assistant! I can't wait to continue my career with a company that feels so much like home to me!

Mexican Quinoa

We've all heard the great nutritional benefits of quinoa and I've been searching for delicious recipes including the power-grain. This Mexican Quinoa was so flavorful and so easy to make! Simply throw all the ingredients into a skillet on the stove and heat for about 20 minutes - even the quinoa cooks right in the pan! My family went crazy for this dish, next time I'll double the ingredients, but below is the single recipe.

Ingredients

1 cup quinoa

1 can black beans, drained & rinsed

1 can corn, drained

1 can Rotel diced tomatoes & green chiles, drained

1 cup vegetable broth

2 cloves of garlic, minced

1 onion, chopped

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 teaspoon cumin

1 teaspoon chili powder

1 tablespoon cilantro, chopped

juice of 1 lime

salt/pepper to taste

Directions

In a large skillet, heat olive oil on high and add onion & garlic. Cook for about 2 minutes until fragrant. Add quinoa, vegetable broth, black beans, corn, Rotel, cumin and chili powder. Bring to a boil, then cover and simmer for about 20 minutes until quinoa is fully cooked. Add cilantro and lime juice at the end, stir together until all flavors are combined. Add salt/pepper if needed. Serve warm and enjoy!

Red Carpet Style: SAG Awards 2016

The 2016 Screen Actors Guild Awards were last Saturday and there were a lot of red carpet hits and misses. Some of the biggest trends of the night included plunging necklines, floral appliqué and beading, and shades of blue, green & hot pink. See my picks for Best Dressed below. Who was your favorite of the night?

{Rachel McAdams in Elie Saab}

{Alicia Vikander in Louis Vuitton}

{Eva Longoria in Julien Macdonald}

Hippie

 

Without a doubt, my favorite trend over the last year has been the 70's revival. Flares, fringe, boho prints - I want it all! I spotted these wide-leg printed pants at T.J. Maxx and loved the hippie vibe. To balance the proportion, I paired them with a cropped sweater and platform heels. Also, totally obsessing over my new Warby Parker sunglasses I got for my birthday! The lighter tortoise and oversized Jackie-O shape are pure perfection!

 

{outfit details}

Cropped Black Sweater - BCBG (similar) || Printed Wide-Leg Pants - T.J. Maxx (cute options here & here) || Fringe Bucket Bag - Zara (last worn) || Tortoise Sunglasses - Warby Parker || Lipstick - NARS "schiap" (last seen)

 

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26

Yesterday I celebrated my 26th birthday! It had been years since I'd been with my family for my birthday, and it was so special having my niece & nephew sing me "Happy Birthday!" We went out for a delicious dinner and my mom made me a homemade purple velvet cake - my fave color! (We used this recipe and substituted purple food coloring instead of red!) It was perfect! I'm looking forward to a long weekend with Greg and a sushi dinner with my girlfriends on Friday! 25 was a very eventful year and I have a feeling 26 is going to come with a lot of fun changes as well. I'm fully embracing the start of my late 20's and can't wait to see what the future holds!

Birthday Cake Batter Cookies

Birthday Cake Batter Cookies in honor of my birthday on Wednesday! Soft & chewy cookies with white chocolate chips and rainbow sprinkles - what's not to love! Check out the recipe below!

Ingredients

2 1/4 cup flour

3/4 cup granulated sugar

3/4 cup brown sugar

1 instant vanilla pudding package

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking soda

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 cup butter (2 sticks), softened

2 large eggs

2 cups Ghiradelli white chocolate chips

1/2 cup of rainbow sprinkles

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a large bowl, mix flour, baking soda, salt. Set aside.

In a stand mixer, beat together butter and sugars until creamy.

Add vanilla. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.

Slowly add flour mixture. Add package of vanilla pudding mix. 

Add sprinkles & white chocolate chips until thoroughly combined.

Evenly space 1-inch balls of cookie dough on a non-stick baking sheet.

Bake in the oven for 8-10 minutes. Let stand on baking sheet for 1 minute after cooking.

Carefully remove cookies from baking sheet and cool on a wire rack. Enjoy!