Monthy Subscription Box

Okay guys, I am SO excited! I just placed subscriptions with two monthly beauty boxes. I ordered both Birchbox and ipsy. When I saw that they were only $10 a month I said why the heck not!

Ipsy

Ipsy was the first box I subscribed to! The company was created by the YouTube Beauty guru Michelle Phan.

    

"With infinite beauty product combinations in the marketplace, choosing the best items for your needs can be a challenge! That was why Michelle created ipsy. Michelle and her team of stylists have selected products they love, for you to try." (www.ipsy.com)

When you create your profile with ipsy you take a short quiz so they can better match you with products. You get 4-5 products a month and they all come in a cute ipsy makeup bag! I was actually placed on a wait list... Which is why I subscribed to Birchbox as well!

Birchbox

I have seen ads for Birchbox EVERYWHERE! It was also only $10 a month and since I was wait listed at ipsy I figured I'd sign up here as well.

"Each month, you'll receive a selection of samples the we've tried (and retried) ourselves. We source our samples from both well-known brands and emerging gems. The women's subscription includes everything from skincare to makeup, as well as fun non-beauty extras." (www.birchbox.com)

You take an optional quiz on Brchbox after your order you first subscription box. It asks similar questions to ipsy but is definitely not as in-depth. My Birchbox is schedules to ship on May 27th!

I am so excited to start receiving these beauty boxes! I am planning on doing monthly reviews so you can all see what comes in them. Lets see which one I like!

- Katie



Beauty On a Budget: Urban Decay Naked Basics

 

Who doesn't love Urban Decay shadow pallets? Well, if you like them then it obviously means you love the price tag as well! Wrong... Let's get real here not everyone has the ability or even wants to spend $30 on six shades of eye shadow. I'm going to show you how to get the same look from the drugstore!








What You Need
Wet n Wild: Comfort Zone $4.99
Wet n Wild: Don't Steal My Thunder $2.99
Revlon Color Stay: Moonlit $5.99
Revlon Color Stay: Attitude $5.99

If your doing the math, the grand total will be about $20. Why would you not just spend $10 more and get the real thing? You get 19 shadows instead of six. More bang for your buck!



What are we trying to imitate?
(From left to right)

- Venus: Revlon Color Stay Moonlit
- Foxy: Wet N Wild Comfort Zone
- WOS: Revlon Color Stay Attitude
- Naked 2: Revlon Color Stay Moonlit
- Faint: Revlon Color Stay Attitude
- Crave: Wet N Wild Don't Steal My Thunder

 

 Swatches
 

Foxy vs W&W Comfort Zone Top Left Shade

Venus vs Revlon Moonlit Top Left Shade

WOS vs Revlon Attitude Top Left Shade

Naked 2 vs Revlon Moonlit Bottom Left Shade



Faint vs Revlon Attitude Bottom Left Shade

Crave vs W&W Don't Steal My Thunder Middle Shade



 As you can see, not all of these were perfect matches! I don't buy single shade compacts and I wanted to keep it under four pallets for you. If you purchase the two Revlon compacts you will be able to recreate a lot of the same looks as you could with the basics pallet! 

 

Happy Budget Hunting!

- Katie

Gluten Free Adventures: Saint Louis Bread Co. (Panera)

A friend and I stopped by Bread Co. for lunch today! You may not have known, but they actually have quite a few gluten free options. You just have to order from their "Secret Menu"!
(If your not sure the rating system goes up to 5)

Breakfast                                                                Lunch/Dinner
- Power Breakfast Egg White Bowl                        - Power Mediterranean Chicken Salad
  with Roasted Turkey ♥♥♥                                     - Power Mediterranean Roasted Turkey Salad
- Power Breakfast Egg Bowl with                          - Power Chicken Humus Bowl ♥♥♥♥
  Steak                                                                     - Power Steak Lettuce Wraps ♥♥♥

Today I tried the... (Drum Roll Please)

(Before Eating... Looks good!)


Power Steak Lettuce Wraps! I have to say, it was pretty delicious but I like the Hummus Bowl a lot more.

    "Seared top-sirloin, leaf lettuce, cucumbers, diced tomatoes & red onions, basil pesto and finished with fresh lemon juice" (panerabread.com)

Sounds yummy right?

After reading the description I realized mine did not come with any pesto! While it was still good, the wraps were a little dry and could have used some sauce!

 

Happy eating!

- Katie

Heatless Summer Curls

It's almost summer time which means everyone is going to want beautiful beachy waves! Save your hair from the extra dose of heat in the morning by following a few simple steps.

What You Need?
The first thing you need to do is purchase a set of spiral rollers. All the major hair accessory companies produce them and they can easily be found at Target, Walmart, or Walgreens. I personally have a set of the pink and blue Conair curlers that I got a target for $15. (Tip Time) I have seen similar products at Walmart for the less than $8, so if your looking to say a few bucks definitely check there!

What You Need To Do
1. Take a shower: As Jenna Marbles said you are probably dirty... You HAVE to start with damp hair to get the curls to stay all day. Wait until you hair is 80% dry or dampen it with water!

2. Get your curlers ready: Select the amount of curlers you will need according to your hair type! I personally use three curlers on each side of my head. Make sure your using large chunks of hair and not small one inch sections. Otherwise, you will have spiral curls not waves!


This is what your hair should look like!

 3. I like to place the curlers near my ear, so the curl will begin close to my chin. This makes it look like you have used a curling wand and it's much more comfortable to sleep in!
    A. Take one section of hair and wrap it going away from you face and then bend the bottom of the curler to lock it in! You want both of the plastic tips to be pointing at each other.

1/2 way done!

   B. Finish curling the rest of your hair! I personally like having all the curls face directionally away from my face, but you can do whatever works for you!

4. Go to sleep: Now that you have your curlers in you can go to bed! If you want the curls to set with out heat you need to let them set for at least 4 hours. However, if your in a rush and don't mind using heat you can always use a blow dryer!

 5. The next morning all you have to do is take the curlers out and set with hairspray! Can you beat having your hair done in less then 5 minutes? I think not... I always like to add a headband or clip so that my hair is out of my face.

 

Don't forget to subscribe!
- Katie  (:

Gluten Free Adventures: Nutella French Toast

I made this yummy treat for breakfast on Mother's Day! Everyone said it was good so I think it passed the test.

Ingredients
- 8 slices of bread (I used 2 slices of gluten free, 1 bagel thin, and 4 slices of regular bread)
- 4 eggs
-3/4 Cup of Heavy Cream (I used fat free coffee creamer and it work perfectly)
-1/4 Cup of Nutella
- 1 Sliced Banana
- 2 Teaspoons of Cinnamon
- 1 Teaspoon of Vanilla
- 1 Tablespoon of Sugar (I used Truvia)
- Butter



Instructions
1. Spread the Nutella on half of your bread and then add your sliced bananas!

2. Crack your 4 eggs into a medium sized bowl and lightly beat them. Add the cream, cinnamon, vanilla, and sugar to the eggs. Mix until blended.

3. Add butter to a medium sized frying pan. You want the temperature to be hot enough to melt the butter but not smoking.

4. Place your nutella/banana sandwich in your egg mixture. Make sure you fully submerge both sides!

5. Cook your toast in batches! I placed two sandwiches in the pan for each batch. Let the sandwich sit for three minutes then flip and cook for another 3 minutes.

6. Cover with powdered sugar and enjoy!

Gluten Free Adventures: Pasta House

My family decided to go out to eat a late dinner at Pasta House today. This is my second time eating off the gluten free menu. Last visit I ordered the Pasta Con Broccoli and this time I ordered the Chicken Parmigian. I enjoy being able to eat out at an Italian restaurant because not many have gluten free options! I believe they have so many options because some one high up in their rank has a wife with celiac!

I'm creating a rating system

Why not? Let's put these emojis to good use! Low ♥ to High ♥♥♥♥♥

The meal

- Started off with your standard Pasta House Salad (Low Fat Dressing) I'm not really a big salad eater but it came with the meal...

♥♥

- Chicken Parm: The chicken was okay. Not terrible but definitely not great. At first they had just brought a plain chicken breast but quickly sent it back to the kitchen. The broccoli that was served with it was also on the dry side... It also didn't come with pasta! I mean that's my own fault for not reading the menu but a little disappointing none the less. I think the kitchen may have been having some issues seeing that my moms GF pasta was undercooked. Overall, not worth $18 a dish... 

♥

Spring/Summer Beauty Tag

Alright... No, I didn't get tagged to do this post seeing that I just started blogging. I tag myself! That counts right? (Lets just pretend to say yes). I want a few posts of the blog to have a YouTube feel to it, hopefully you guys enjoy it!
If your ready for warmer weather read on!

Do you change your makeup when spring arrives? If so, how?
You bet I do! I'm all about lighter makeup for the spring/summer seasons. My foundation routine doesn't change at all. I love BareMinerals and find it light enough to wear in the summer.  I have TERRIBLE allergies so I really limit the amount of makeup I wear around my eyes, otherwise I look like a raccoon. A light eye shadow, pink blush, nude lip, and a waterproof mascara keep me cool and in the heat!

What is your favorite spring and summer fragrance?
Bath & Body Country Chic! Sunflowers are my favorite flower, so logically I want to smell like them (; "Our exclusive Country Chic fragrance is inspire by the fresh air and natural beauty of the countryside. This effortlessly sexy scent is a bright blend of sparkling lemon, marigold and golden sunflower with a subtle glow of orange blossom" I think that is pretty much spring in a sent...

What is going to be your favorite accessory this season?
Watches! I never leave the house without one. I received a rose gold Michael Kors watch as a Christmas gift (thanks Santa) and can't wait to start showing it of in spring! I have been wearing it all year but it will look much more festive and spring with bright colors.

What is going to be your most worn clothing item?
I have a pair of distressed jeans I have been living in! It is way to cold to wear them where I live during winter so I plan on wearing them until it gets to hot.

Top 3 nail polishes?
1. Essie "Madison ave-hue"
2. Red Carpet "Papparazzied" (This is a gel polish I use with my LED lamp!)
3. Salon Perfect "Bermuda Baby"

Do you prefer pumps of sandals?
Sandals 100%! I have a sandal addiction... There are so many options and you get to show of your pedicure!

What is your favorite spring jacket
Honestly, I don't really need one where I live! The temperature goes from 25 degrees to 75 in a span of 24 hours (Midwest REPRESENT)... I do use my pink rain jacket frequently, but it's not exactly a fashion statement!